AMSTERDAM -(Dow Jones)- The Dutch antitrust regulator said Tuesday it has cleared supermarket chain Jumbo Groep Holding BV's planned acquisition of private-equity owned rival C1000. The regulator, known as NMa, said it approved the deal after Jumbo agreed to sell 18 stores to ease competition concerns. Jumbo said in November it planned to buy C1000 for EUR900 million in cash from CVC Capital Partners Ltd. It has said the acquisition will make it the second-largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands with a 23% market share, 725 stores and EUR7.5 billion in annual revenue. The deal is a big step for privately owned Jumbo as it seeks to bolster its position in the Netherlands. In 2009, the company snapped up Super de Boer NV, a retailer that was majority-owned by France's Casino Guichard-Perrachon SA (CO.FR). Jumbo's move will create a stronger rival for Koninklijke Ahold NV (AH.AE), whose Albert Heijn chain is market leader in the Netherlands with a 33% share. -By Maarten van Tartwijk; Dow Jones Newswires; +31 20 571 5201; maarten.vantartwijk@dowjones.com
