FTC Issues Final Order Preserving Competition for Deeply Discounted General Merchandise

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final consent order settling charges that Dollar Tree Inc.’s $9.2 billion acquisition of Family Dollar Stores, Inc. would likely be anticompetitive.

Under the consent order, first announced in July 2015, the companies are required to sell 330 Family Dollar stores to a private equity firm, Sycamore Partners, within 150 days following the acquisition.

The Commission vote approving the final consent order and letters to commenters was 4-0. (FTC File No. 141 0207; the staff contact is Sean Pugh, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-3201)

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust{at}ftc{dot}gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Room CC-5422, Washington, DC 20580. To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.