The French antitrust authority, Autorité de la Concurrence, has given a green light to Intermarche for the acquisition of 61 Casino stores, with specific conditions aimed at maintaining market competition.
The clearance follows a thorough review of the takeover undertaken by the autorité [authority].
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The authority assessed the potential impact of the acquisition on Intermarche’s purchasing power in the supply markets for everyday consumer goods.
It concluded that the purchasing share of the 61 stores was too low to significantly strengthen Intermarche’s position or to place suppliers in a situation of economic dependency.
The authority also examined the vertical effects of the transaction, considering the link between Intermarche’s consumer goods production business and the food retailing operations of the target stores.
The analysis ruled out any risk of anti-competitive effects due to Intermarche’s market shares and the purchasing shares of the 61 stores.
However, the authority identified potential competition issues in the catchment areas of three stores located in Lons-le-Saunier (39), Plouaret (22), and Vals-près-le-Puy (43).
Intermarche has agreed to divest these stores to resolve the issues.
Intermarche agreed to buy the 61 stores from Casino in May 2023 and notified the French competition authority of its intentions in July.
Following the sale, Casino will retain its upmarket brands Monoprix and Franprix, which predominantly operate in city-centre locations.
In December 2023, Casino entered exclusive talks to sell 313 hypermarkets and supermarkets in France to Les Mousquetaires, owner of Intermarche, and to Auchan Retail.
