Deutsche Bahn/NS Groep/JV Service Stores - Services in the rail transport sector
Background
Acquisition by DB Station & Service and Wizzl (both subsidiaries of the national railway group Deutsche Bahn and NS Groep respectively) of joint control of DB Service Stores, at present controlled by DB Station & Service. The latter operates passenger stations and offers services to rail transport and railway track undertakings, passengers, station visitors and other people. Wizzl is a mere holding company, all shares held by Wizzl BV which operates stores at railway stations in the Netherlands. DB Service Stores operates convenience stores which combine food retailing with gastronomy as main items and ticket office. After a pilot phase, the activities of DB Service Stores will be extended to locations all over Germany.
Assessment
The Commission cleared the operation on the basis that the NS Groep is not active in Germany. There were, therefore, no overlaps between the parents’ activities. (Case n° COMP/M.1787, Decision of 17 December 1999).
