The European Commission has approved Staples’ $6.3 billion bid to buy Office Depot, joining regulators in China, Australia and New Zealand in green-lighting the deal. But the marriage still faces a major hurdle in the U.S., where the FTC is suing to block the transaction. The case is expected to go before a federal court in March.
“The European Commission said on Wednesday that it had signed off on a $6.3 billion merger of Staples and Office Depot after the companies agreed to sell some of Office Depot’s operations in Europe to ease competition concerns.”