The Autorité de la Concurrence has approved Auchan’s acquisition of 98 former Casino food retail stores, with conditions to maintain competition in two specific areas: Aubagne and Marseille’s La Valentine shopping centre.
While most of the acquisition posed no competition concerns, the regulator identified risks in these two locations where Auchan’s increased market power could limit consumer choice and raise prices. To address this:
- Auchan must sell either its existing store or the acquired Casino store in Aubagne to a competitor.
- In Marseille, Auchan must sub-lease part of its retail space to two separate competitors to maintain market diversity.
The regulator will oversee the implementation of these commitments to ensure competitive market conditions and continued store operations.
