EUROPEAN COMMISSION APPROVES FORTENOVA'S ACQUISITION OF MERCATOR

22.09.2020

The European Commission has approved unconditionally, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of Mercator by Fortenova. The Commission concluded that the transaction would raise no competition concerns in the European Economic Area (‘EEA').

Both Fortenova and Mercator are active in the supply of daily consumer goods. In the EEA, Fortenova is currently active in Croatia and Slovenia at various levels of the value chain. Mercator's activities are primarily located in Slovenia, with a significant presence at retail level where Fortenova is not active.

During its investigation, the Commission found that the transaction would not significantly reduce head-to-head competition in the procurement and wholesale supply of daily consumer goods, in particular for the following reasons:

  • The companies have very low to moderate combined market shares.
  • A number of competitors offer effective alternatives to the companies' products and services.
  • A majority of market participants consulted by the Commission appears to be either supportive of the transaction or not concerned by it.

The Commission also found that vertical relationships between the activities of Fortenova and Mercator are unlikely to result in harm to competition. In Croatia, the addition of Mercator's very limited activities would not change Fortenova's incentive to give competitors' access to essential inputs or to a sufficient customer base. In Slovenia, the addition of Mercator's activities would not give Fortenova the ability or incentive to shut out competitors, mainly because a sufficient number of alternative suppliers and customers remain available in the market.

The Commission therefore concluded that the transaction would raise no competition concerns in the EEA and cleared the case unconditionally.

You can reach the full text of the press release here.

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Kind regards,

Zumbul Attorneys-at-Law

info@zumbul.av.tr