Opening of an in-depth examination for the acquisition of a Casino hypermarket located in the Troyes urban area

The Autorité de la concurrence opens an in-depth examination phase for the acquisition of a Casino hypermarket located in the Troyes urban area by Soditroy (Leclerc) and the Association des Centres Distributeurs E. Leclerc.

In its examination of this transaction, following several consultations with market stakeholders, the Autorité considered that the planned transaction, which would merge companies operating competing hypermarkets in the outskirts of Troyes, warranted an in-depth examination phase (Phase 2). For consumers in the Troyes urban area, the transaction will lead to the disappearance of a retailer (Casino) and a risk of reduced competition between the two main hypermarket retailers in the area (Carrefour and E. Leclerc).

During its in-depth examination, the Autorité will conduct an extended consultation with market stakeholders (competitors, retailer suppliers, etc.).

In particular, the Autorité will extend competitive analysis of the retail food distribution markets with regard to local characteristics and the capacity of established stakeholders or new entrants to exert sufficient competitive pressure on the parties.