Barnes & Noble Merger Likely To Be Blocked

Federal Trade Commission staffers are opposing Barnes & Noble’s $600 million plan to merge with the nation’s largest book wholesaler, saying it violates antitrust laws, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

The staff has recommended that the full FTC block the plan by the nation’s largest bookseller to acquire the Ingram Book Group, the Times reported, citing an unidentified source familiar with the deal.

Barnes & Noble executives say the merger would allow the company to reduce costs and delivery times to customers, particularly those online. Lawyers for Barnes & Noble and Ingram plan to discuss the deal with the FTC, which rarely overturns staff recommendations, the Times said.