NMa conditionally approves the acquisition of 79 stores of Dutch supermarket chain Super de Boer by a rival chain

The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) conditionally approves the acquisition of 79 stores of Dutch supermarket chain Super de Boer, owned by holding company Jumbo Groep, by rival holding company Schuitema, the owner of supermarket chain C1000. Schuitema had amended its original acquisition plans: it will now sell five stores once the acquisition has been completed.

The NMa feared that, had Schuitema's original plans been implemented, local competition problems would occur in five smaller Dutch towns. Although the acquisition of the Super de Boer stores would only have a marginal effect on Schuitema's national market share, it would however lead to high market shares in several smaller regional markets, thereby potentially harming competition on a local level considerably. Schuitema therefore offered to sell a Super de Boer store or C1000 store in these five towns to a third party. Future owners of these stores still need to be approved by the NMa.

Having had its original acquisition plans amended, Schuitema is prevented from gaining too strong a position on a local level regarding grocery shopping through supermarkets. Consumers in these towns are thus guaranteed having enough alternatives, both before and after the acquisition.

The decision will be published as soon as possible, and will be available on the ACM's website (in Dutch).