Turkey's Competition Authority has granted conditional approval for Yeni Mağazacılık, the parent company of A101, to acquire CarrefourSA.
The approval includes requirements for the divestment of 48 stores. Of these stores, 10 belong to A101 and 38 belong to CarrefourSA.
48 stores
Total number of locations to be divested as part of the conditional approval.
Under the terms of the decision, CarrefourSA's independent organizational structure must be maintained following the acquisition. Additionally, the total number of employees must be protected for three years following the merger.
Commitments to SMEs and local producers
The new entity is required to provide shelf space, marketing support, and digital sales opportunities to at least 75 SMEs and local producers every year.
The decision also includes commitments to increase the visibility of local and regional products on market shelves and to provide more space for products from women entrepreneurs.
Updates
Beyond the required divestments, A101's commitment package includes a 'SME and Local Supplier Support Program' that offers visibility, marketing, and priority in online sales channels, alongside an 'umbrella brand' strategy to protect local products. Additionally, the three-year employment protection mandate now includes efforts to increase employment levels, while managers for daily commercial activities will remain separate between the two companies.
Following the approval, A101 has committed to a 'SME and Local Supplier Support Program' providing in-store visibility, digital marketing, data analytics, and priority access to online channels for local producers, alongside an umbrella branding strategy to enhance their consumer visibility; additionally, CarrefourSA will cease selling alcoholic beverages upon stock depletion, and the 48 divested stores represent just 0.3% of the combined entity’s total 14,700 locations, while employment protections now include reasonable efforts to increase staffing levels.
Following the approval, A101 has committed to separating management and operational responsibilities between the two brands, implementing a 'SME and Local Supplier Support Program' that includes in-store visibility, digital marketing, priority online access, and continuous cooperation mechanisms under an umbrella brand strategy, while CarrefourSA has ceased alcoholic beverage supplies and will stop sales upon stock depletion; the 48 divested stores represent just 0.3% of the combined entity’s total 14,700 locations.
