Reports have emerged that the European Union’s competition division has been in talks with representatives from Amazon regarding the company’s potential acquisition of iRobot, the manufacturer of the popular Roomba robotic vacuum brand. However, it is anticipated that the EU will reject the proposed acquisition.
Under the acquisition process, approval must first be obtained from regulatory agencies. The committee is expected to reach a decision by February 14th.
Previously, the European committee voiced its concerns about the deal last November, stating that it would lead to a significant reduction in competition in the robotic vacuum market. Additionally, Amazon’s greater selling power could potentially obstruct other competitors in the industry.
It is worth noting that the regulatory body in the United Kingdom approved this deal last year, while the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States is still in the process of investigating.
TLDR: The European Union is likely to reject Amazon’s proposed acquisition of iRobot, the manufacturer of Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners. Concerns over reduced competition and Amazon’s market dominance have been raised. The UK approved the deal last year, while the US FTC is still investigating.
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