LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's biggest retailer Tesco (L:TSCO) and its takeover target Booker (L:BOK) have asked the UK competition regulator to "fast track" examination of their 3.7 billion pound deal to a more detailed second stage, they said on Thursday.
Tesco and the wholesaler Booker announced the cash and shares deal in January and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) formally started its initial Phase 1 review on May 30.
The CMA is assessing whether the deal could reduce competition and choice for shoppers and other customers, such as stores currently supplied by Booker. The initial investigation was due to run until July 25.
"We have now requested that the CMA uses the fast track process to allow it to move more quickly to examining the merger through a detailed Phase 2 process," the companies said.
They said they expect the CMA to issue a decision to refer to Phase 2 within the next two weeks.
The transaction will be cleared if that inquiry, which lasts up to 24 weeks, does not find it will reduce competition. If competition is seen to be affected, the CMA can either seek remedies or block the deal.
A spokeswoman for Tesco said it expected the deal to complete in January.
Tesco sees the deal as a new source of growth given Booker's role as a major distributor to the catering industry.
Some Tesco shareholders have criticised the deal, saying it was overpaying and a distraction from its turnaround plan.
Booker supplies convenience chains including Budgens and Londis, restaurants such as Wagamama and Carluccio's and also operates the Makro cash and carry business.
Shares in Tesco, which on Wednesday announced 1,200 head office job cuts, were up 0.1 percent at 172 pence at 0708 GMT. Booker shares were flat at 187.4 pence.
The deal values Booker shares at 190.7 pence.
