OFT gives go-ahead to Amazon takeover of The Book Depository

The body decided the merger would not lessen competition in the UK book industry as there was little competition between the two companies.

It said The Book Depository only accounted for 2 to 4% of the online physical book market and that most of its growth had come from overseas. Amazon struck a deal to acquire its smaller rival in July.

OFT chief economist Amelia Fletcher said: “Amazon has a strong position in the online retailing of books and a number of concerns were raised by third parties. However, following a thorough investigation we are satisfied that this small increment to Amazon’s position does not raise competition issues.

“The UK book market has a significant number of bestseller and deep-range suppliers both online and off-line and that existing levels of competition will be preserved after the merger.”