Dutch retailer Koninklijke Ahold N.V. (AH.AE) said Friday it has received preliminary approval from the Czech competition authority to acquire SPAR's business in the country.

However, the competition authority has stipulated that after completion of the acquisition, Ahold must sell a limited number of stores in the Czech Republic.

Once this decision is final, Ahold is authorized to complete the transaction, it said.

Ahold added that it expects completion to take place in the second half of this year.

-Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@wsj.com

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