The Competition Council requests the Schwarz group commitments to approve the acquisition of the La Cocoș network, fearing changes to the business model and price increases.

The Competition Council has requested the German group Schwarz, owner of Lidl and Kaufland, to provide clear commitments to approve the acquisition of the Romanian supermarket chain La Cocoș. The authority expresses its concern that La Cocoș's business model, based on low margins and small prices, could be altered, which would lead to increased prices for consumers.

In this context, the Competition Council emphasized that the acquisition could affect the retail market and the market for consumer goods. The Schwarz group is invited to propose commitments to ensure the maintenance of competitive conditions, and feedback from suppliers and other retailers is awaited. La Cocoș, with its six stores, has become attractive to Schwarz due to its business model and growth potential, having a turnover of over 1 billion lei in 2024.