The Autorité de la concurrence closes its review of the acquisition of 43 Colruyt stores by Groupement Les Mousquetaires, with three clearances subject to the divestiture of three stores to one or more competing retailers

A rapid, careful examination of the effects of mergers on local food retail markets

The Autorité examined the mergers notified by ITM Entreprises and the members concerned by the acquisition of one or more Colruyt stores from 23 September 2025, the date on which the first notification files were submitted.

With the review of 31 mergers closed today, the Autorité has issued the clearance decisions within very short timeframes, generally within three weeks.

The notified transactions do not have any anticompetitive effects on the upstream markets for the supply of consumer goods, insofar as the increment in market share resulting from the acquisitions of the Colruyt supermarkets is limited. On the local food retail markets, the Autorité verified whether the disappearance of Colruyt in favour of Intermarché or Netto would significantly restrict consumer choice. The disappearance of a competitive offering can lead to price increases in areas where there are not enough food retail banners or to a deterioration in the quality of the services offered to consumers. In all cases, the Autorité ensured that consumers would have sufficient alternatives, both for everyday shopping and for more substantial purchases, which may require longer journeys.

Commitments have been submitted to address the competition concerns identified by the Autorité in three local areas: Poligny (39), Brazey-en-Plaine (21) and Sainte-Foy-l’Argentière (69)

The Autorité has cleared 28 transactions unconditionally since 23 September 2025.

Today, it has issued three decisions subject to a commitment to divest a store in three local areas where risks of harm to competition have been identified.

ITM Entreprises and each member concerned by the acquisition of joint control of a Colruyt store in those areas have committed to sell the following stores to one or more competitors approved by the Autorité:

• the Colruyt store (and adjoining service station) on rue Nicolas Appert, Poligny (39);
• the Colruyt store on rue de Verdun, Brazey-en-Plaine (21);
• the Colruyt store at 11 rue du Stade, Sainte-Foy-l’Argentière (69).

The commitments will ensure that a sufficient level of competition is maintained and that consumers’ interests are safeguarded in the markets concerned.

The Autorité, with the support of an independent trustee, will monitor the implementation of the commitments.