06/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - Mergers: Steinhoff International Holdings/Kika/Leiner. On Tuesday 5 November, the European Commission gave the go-ahead to the acquisition of the Kika/Leiner group of Austria by Steinhoff International Holdings Limited of South Africa. Both Steinhoff and Kika/Leiner operate retail stores selling furniture, kitchens, household goods, products for home decoration, electrical appliances and consumer electronics in Europe. Steinhoff also manufactures and sells furniture at the wholesale level in Europe and provides certain logistics, supply chain management and warehousing services. The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would not raise competition concerns, in particular because Steinhoff and Kika/Leiner's market shares are limited in all geographical markets where their activities overlap. (OL/transl.fl)