The French Competition Authority (L’Autorité de la concurrence) has officially finalized its regulatory review concerning the Mousquetaires Group’s acquisition of 43 Colruyt supermarkets, marking a significant transition in the regional retail landscape. Following a thorough investigation into 31 separate merger operations related to these stores, the Authority has issued authorization decisions that ensure continued market competition and protect consumer interests in the affected regions.
While the majority of the transactions received unconditional approval, three specific operations were authorized only on the condition that the Mousquetaires Group sells a store to a competing retailer. These mandatory divestitures are located in the towns of Poligny, Brazey-en-Plaine, and Sainte-Foy-l’Argentière. The Authority identified that without these sales, the disappearance of the Colruyt brand in favor of Intermarché or Netto would have significantly restricted consumer choice and potentially led to price increases or a decline in service quality.
The regulatory process was characterized by a rapid and meticulous analysis of the local food-dominated retail markets, with most decisions issued within three weeks of their formal notification. In its assessment, the Authority confirmed that the acquisitions would not negatively impact upstream supply markets for consumer goods, as the overall increase in market share remains limited. However, at the local level, the regulator prioritized ensuring that shoppers maintain sufficient alternatives for both daily necessities and larger purchases.
This decision reflects a broader trend of consolidation and brand repositioning within the French food retail sector over the past two years. During this period, the Competition Authority has overseen the rebranding of over 650 stores involving major players such as Casino, Cora, Match, and Auchan. To preserve fair competition, the regulator has required the divestiture of 28 stores in total across all these operations, which represents less than 5% of the total number of acquired sites. The Authority will continue to monitor the implementation of the current commitments with the support of an independent agent and maintains its mandate to oversee future shifts in brand ownership anticipated throughout 2026.