Italy antitrust opens probe into sale of Auchan Italian assets to Conad | Progresiv

Italy’s competition watchdog said on Monday it had opened a probe into the sale of the Italian assets of French supermarket group Auchan Retail to Italian co-operative retailer Conad.

In a statement the antitrust said the deal could lead to the creation or strengthening of a dominant market position.

Auchan Retail sealed a deal for the sale of its Italian subsidiary Auchan S.p.A. to Conad, an Italian cooperative distribution group. Auchan S.p.A. operates a network of directly-owned and franchised multi-format stores, with geographical positions that complement those of Conad. The deal would help to form an Italian player that is now a leader in the country's mass retail sector. (www.reuters.com)