Salling Group Acquires 33 Stores from Coop Danmark

Chairman of the Competition Council, Christian Schultz, stated:

Salling's acquisition of 33 grocery stores from Coop Danmark did not give rise to competition concerns. Thus, we have been able to approve the transaction unconditionally. The two stores that were initially identified as potentially problematic were voluntarily removed from the transaction by the parties.​

The Competition Council has approved Salling Group's acquisition of 33 grocery stores and leases from Coop Danmark.​

Originally, the transaction included 35 grocery stores. The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority (“DCCA”) conducted a detailed assessment in five of these local areas. Based on the detailed assessment, the DCCA indicated that the acquisition potentially could create competition concerns in two local areas, Taastrup and Slagelse. Subsequently, Salling Group and Coop Danmark decided to exclude these two stores from the transaction.​

Following the transaction, all nationwide grocery retail operators – including Coop Danmark – will continue to be present in the local areas affected by the merger.​

The 31 grocery stores operate under the 365discount, Kvickly, or SuperBrugsen brands, and 2 are upcoming stores. The stores are located in Esbjerg, Frederiksberg, Gilleleje, Gistrup, Gråsten, Gørlev, Hobro, Herfølge, Hillerød, Kolding, København N, København Ø, København S, Lille Skensved, Morud, Odense C, Odense N, Odense S, Odense SV, Randers, Svinninge, Sæby, Vejle, Tommerup, Lemvig, Hedensted, Kibæk, Pandrup, Terndrup, and Vestbjerg.​

Salling Group operates discount stores, supermarkets, and hypermarkets under the Netto, føtex, and Bilka brands. In total, Salling Group owns over 600 grocery stores in Denmark. Coop Danmark operates the Kvickly, SuperBrugsen, 365discount, and Brugsen brands.​

Read the decision (in Danish)

For further information

Contact the Head of Communications at the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority, Hanne Arentoft, +45 41 71 50 98.