The Bookseller reports that the Competition Commission looks likely to allow Woolworth's to retain its ownership of book wholesaler Bertram after "provisionally clearing" the deal. The CC said that rival wholesaler Gardners and direct supply from publishers could both be used to prevent the combined Bertrams and THE exploiting their position in the market.

Inquiry chairman, Diana Guy, said: "We found that the ability of the merged company to exploit its position by lowering the available discounts or degrading their service levels will be limited. Gardners remains as a strong competitor in the wholesaling sector and there is scope for booksellers to divert at least some orders to direct supply."