• Benefit Systems has withdrawn the application for the take-over of Calypso Fitness.
• Earlier, UOKiK raised competition concerns, as it could restrict competition.

Benefit Systems offers sports and recreation services to employers under fringe benefits scheme. It also operates - through its subsidiaries - several dozen fitness clubs, e.g. in Wrocław, Poznań and Warsaw. With the MultiSport card customers may attend clubs owned by the company, as well as its partners. Calypso operates, among other things, several dozen fitness clubs, e.g. in Warsaw, Tri-city and Poznań.

In this case, the Authority conducted a market study. The question about the influence of concentration on the market was asked both to entities which conduct business activity on the market of sports and recreation packages offered to employers, as well as to fitness clubs and employers who order packages for their employees.

The study conducted by the Authority showed that the concentration could result in
a significant restriction of competition on the market of sports and recreation packages offered to employers. Moreover, following the acquisition, Benefit Systems would own the largest number of chain fitness clubs in Poland. Thereby, it would gain the power to influence the behaviour of club customers.

For this reason, on 23 November 2017 UOKiK raised competition concerns. Subsequently, on 2 January 2018, Benefit Systems withdrew its application for the take-over of Calypso Fitness. It means that the proceedings have been discontinued.

The obligation to obtain approval of the President of UOKIK arises when a transaction involves undertakings whose total turnover in the preceding year exceeded EUR 1 billion worldwide or EUR 50 million in Poland.

Additional information for the media:

UOKiK Press Office
pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warsaw
Phone: +48 22 55 60 430
E-mail: biuroprasowe@uokik.gov.pl

Twitter: @UOKiKgovPL