French competition authority scrutinizes retail alliances Aura and Concordis

The French competition authority is scrutinizing two recent purchasing alliances: Aura, founded by Intermarché, Auchan, and Casino, and Concordis, founded by Carrefour and Coopérative U. The regulator is asking third parties for input and is examining the potential impact on competition and consumers.

Various risks identified

The French market authority has announced that it will conduct a competition assessment of both alliances and, “where applicable, of the international structures in which they participate.” According to the regulator, “several competition risks in upstream and downstream markets” have already been identified.