(a) No person may purchase or otherwise acquire a retail license unless the commissioner has first approved of such person's qualifications to hold a retail license, which qualifications shall be the same as those required under section eight of this article.
(b) No person may sell, assign or otherwise transfer a retail license without the prior written approval of the commissioner. For purposes of this section, the merger of a retail licensee or the sale of more than fifty percent of the outstanding stock of or partnership interests in the retail licensee shall be deemed to be a sale, assignment or transfer of a retail license under this section.