Home electronics retailer M.Video said Wednesday that it would not go ahead with a proposed acquisition of closest rival Eldorado because they could not agree on terms.
The company also cited requirements imposed by the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service for the deal to go ahead, said Anton Panteleyev, M.Video's spokesman.
"The talks between M.Video and [investment] fund PPF about a possible acquisition of 100 percent of Eldorado have been suspended due to a failure in reaching consensus on terms and the antitrust watchdog's injunctions," Panteleyev said.
M.Video had discussed a merger with Eldorado, owned by Czech magnate Petr Kellner's investment group PPF, in 2011 but the deal never materialized.
It revived the plan at the beginning of this year and received an anti-monopoly approval to go ahead, subject to the combined company selling some stores.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.