Refresco Will Work to Solve U.K. Antitrust Wrinkle in Cott Deal

Refresco Group N.V. said an initial review by U.K. antitrust authorities of its $1.25 billion purchase of rival soft drink bottler Cott Corp. Inc. turned up competition concerns in only one market.

Refresco said the purchase will create the world’s largest independent bottler with leadership positions across Europe and North America. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said Jan. 3 that it will open an in-depth investigation into the transaction’s potential impact on competition in the U.K. But the company said the same day that a workable remedy to the U.K.'s competition concerns should be possible.

Refresco said that CMA’s ...