Pearson Gets Green Light on REDgroup Online Acquisition

In Global Trade Talk by Hannah Johnson

By Hannah Johnson

Pearson Australia Group

The Bookseller+Publisher reports that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) “will not oppose the acquisition of REDgroup Online by Pearson Australia Group.”

Pearson announced in July of this year that it had reached an agreement with the REDgroup to acquire the websites of Borders and Angus & Robertson in Australia, which include online bookstores and app bookstores.

In response, the Australian Booksellers Association (ABA) requested that the ACCC conduct an investigation of this proposed takeover. The Bookseller reported that the ABA believes the takeover would “create monopolies in the supply chain” and give an unfair advantage in the marketplace to Penguin books, owned by Pearson.

The acquisition was completed on July 27, and the websites continue to run as before, with the staff relocating to the Pearson headquarters.

About the Author

Hannah Johnson

Twitter

Hannah Johnson is the publisher of international book industry magazine Publishing Perspectives, which provides daily information and news about book markets around the world. In addition to building partnerships with international cultural and trade organizations, she works with the Frankfurt Book Fair to organize and support a number of its overseas initiatives. Hannah has also worked as the managing editor for an online media company, The Hooch Life, focused on craft distillers and cocktail experts. Prior to that, she worked as a project manager for the Frankfurt Book Fair’s New York office, managing various business and marketing activities.