The European Commission has officially referred the review of a major retail joint venture between the Auchan Group and Groupement Mousquetaires to the French Competition Authority. The transaction involves the creation of a fully operational joint enterprise to manage 167 predominantly food-retail supermarkets and their integrated service stations across metropolitan France, excluding Corsica. These commercial locations are currently under the exclusive control of Auchan.
As a direct consequence of this structural partnership, the 167 retail outlets will be rebranded from Auchan to either Intermarché or Netto banners. Both Auchan and Groupement Mousquetaires will maintain joint control over the converted properties. Because both parent entities are major players in the mass grocery retail industry, the French Competition Authority will conduct a detailed market analysis. This regulatory investigation will scrutinize both upstream procurement markets regarding supplier relations and local retail markets regarding consumer options.
The referral was executed under the European merger control regulations following a formal request from ITM Entreprises, a subsidiary of Groupement Mousquetaires. The European Commission determined that the French regulator was uniquely positioned to evaluate the concentration due to its deep sector expertise and the localized nature of the market impact. The French Competition Authority now holds sole jurisdiction over the case and is expected to issue its ruling by early July 2026, roughly five weeks after receiving a complete notification file.
This case marks the 49th time since 2009 that the European Commission has transferred a merger review to the French national authority under cross-border cooperation rules. The established mechanism allows European officials to hand over cases when a concentration threatens to significantly alter competitive dynamics within a distinct domestic market, ensuring that local experts manage the scrutiny of highly localized consumer landscapes.
