Analysis of UK legal framework for the prevention of anti-competitive market positions

Analysis of UK legal framework for the prevention of anti-competitive market positions

In this dissertation, I will be researching whether the current legal framework (in England and Wales) has proved effective in preventing the formation of anti-competitive market positions, and whether the digital revolution could pose new challenges for the Competition and Market Authority.

As such, I will be first analysing the UK groceries market, which has historically been controlled by only a few dominant firms (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons). This analysis will constitute the starting point which will then be used to evaluate whether the current anti-competition laws are adequate in preventing potential dominant market positions and monopolies in the digital sphere. As such, in the first section I will engage in a comparative analysis of the CMA’s approval of Tesco’s acquisition of food wholesaler Booker in 2017 (for £3.7bn), with the ongoing proposed merger between Sainsbury’s and Asda. In the second section, I will analyse the present threat of dominant market positions in the digital world, and whether it could be necessary to develop a new digital regulatory authority to effectively tackle the possible future formation of monopolies which could eventually damage the consumer.