The Romanian Competition Council has conditionally approved (4 December) Mega Image’s acquisition of Profi Rom Food S.R.L., imposing structural and behavioral commitments to address competition concerns in the food retail market.
Key conditions include:
- Supplier Protections: Mega Image must implement indefinite procedures for supplier listing and delisting, with additional protections for “relevant suppliers” who derive over 20% of their turnover from the networks. These include maintaining 2025 commercial terms and providing volume estimates to aid supplier planning.
- Store Divestments: Mega Image must sell 87 stores in 44 overlapping localities to preserve consumer choice.
- Real Estate Access: Vacated commercial spaces will be made available to all interested parties through independent agencies.
A monitoring trustee will oversee compliance, with non-adherence subject to fines of up to 10% of annual turnover. Competition Council President Bogdan Chirițoiu emphasized the unprecedented nature of these measures and their alignment with EU practices to ensure a competitive environment in food retail.
Source: https://www.consiliulconcurentei.ro/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Eng-Mega-Image-Profi-dec-2024.pdf
