The Commerce Commission has received an application from DFS Group Limited (DFS) seeking clearance to acquire 100 % of the shares in The Nuance Group (Nuance). 

DFS is a Hong Kong based company that operates on-site and off-site airport duty free stores in Auckland and Christchurch.  DFS is jointly owned by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, and its original founder, Mr Robert Miller.

Nuance is jointly owned by GECOS/Gruppo PAM SpA, and Stefanel SpA, and is based in Switzerland.  In New Zealand, Nuance operates duty free stores, principally under the Regency brand, at Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington international airports.   

In considering the application, the Commission’s role is to determine whether the acquisition will have the effect or likely effect of substantially lessening competition in a market.

A public version of the application will shortly be available on the Commission’s website www.comcom.govt.nz under Public Registers.