Bucharest, November 6, 2025 — The Romanian Competition Council has expressed concerns about the Schwarz Group’s proposed acquisition of La Cocoș, warning that the deal could reduce competition in both retail and procurement markets for everyday consumer goods.
Following an initial review, the authority said the transaction could strengthen the position of the merged entity, as Schwarz — which operates the Kaufland and Lidl chains — is already active in all local markets where La Cocoș operates. The council said this overlap could limit consumer choice and weaken competition.
The watchdog also raised concerns about supplier dependence, noting that for some companies, sales to La Cocoș account for up to 90% of their total turnover.
Competition Council President Bogdan Chirițoiu said the authority’s primary concern was preserving La Cocoș’s low-margin, low-price business model. “We want to preserve the La Cocoș business model based on low margins and low prices for consumers. Our main concern is that this format and pricing policy could change following the acquisition, which could lead to higher prices and harm consumers,” he said.
To address these concerns, Schwarz may submit commitments to the authority, which will assess them to determine whether they effectively eliminate competition risks. The council invited feedback from suppliers and competitors on the concerns raised, as it continues to assess whether the transaction is compatible with a competitive market environment.
Source: https://www.consiliulconcurentei.ro/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ingrijorari-La-Cocos-nov-2025.pdf
