At its meeting on 24 April 2025, the Plenum of the Competition Council decided to authorise the transaction whereby “Moldretail Group” LLC (publicly known through the brands “Linella”, “Cip Market”, “Bravo”, and “Fidesco”) acquires control over “Fourchette – M” LLC (publicly known through the brands “Fourchette” and “To-To”).Both undertakings operate in the retail market for predominantly food products, through market and supermarket formats.

The authorisation of the concentration was made subject to a number of commitments undertaken by “Moldretail Group” LLC.

Identified Competition Concerns

The Competition Council carried out a thorough assessment of the potential adverse effects of the transaction, with particular attention to its impact on agri-food suppliers and competition in the food retail sector.

In this regard, the Competition Council found that, as a result of the transaction, “Moldretail Group” LLC would obtain or strengthen a dominant position within five geographic areas (isochrones) where the “Fourchette” and “To-To” stores owned by “Fourchette – M” LLC are located.

In addition, the risk of foreclosure of suppliers operating exclusively within the distribution chain of “Fourchette – M” LLC and not present in the commercial network of “Moldretail Group” LLC was identified.

Commitments Undertaken to Eliminate the Identified Risks

To address the competition concerns identified, “Moldretail Group” LLC has undertaken a set of commitments, the compliance with which will be closely monitored by the Competition Council.

  1. Structural Commitments:
    “Moldretail Group” LLC shall divest five stores located in the municipality of Chișinău, at the following addresses:
  • 2/3 Ion Luca Caragiale Street
  • 5 Carierei Street, Bl. A, No. 4C
  • 15 Iazului Street
  • 16/4 Petru Zadnipru Street
  • 16 Codrilor Street

The divestiture of these retail units shall take place within six months from the date of registration of the transaction with the Public Services Agency.

In accordance with the applicable rules, the divestiture must ensure the continued operation of the stores and their management by an independent undertaking.

  1. Behavioural Commitments:
    “Moldretail Group” LLC has undertaken several behavioural commitments. In particular, it has committed to maintaining the existing commercial relationships with the current suppliers of “Fourchette – M” LLC, especially those suppliers that did not previously have contractual relations with “Moldretail Group” LLC.
    This commitment aims to safeguard access for agri-food suppliers to the food retail market and to prevent their exclusion.

This obligation implies that, for a period of at least three years following the completion of the transaction, the suppliers of the “Fourchette – M” LLC network shall be able to continue their cooperation with the stores acquired by “Moldretail Group” LLC.

Monitoring of Commitments
The commitments undertaken are valid for a period of 36 months (3 years). Throughout this period, “Moldretail Group” LLC shall submit bi-annual reports to the Competition Council regarding the fulfillment of the obligations, with each report to be provided within 30 days after the end of the reporting period.

The Competition Council will continuously monitor compliance with these commitments/obligations to ensure that the transaction does not adversely affect competition, consumer rights, or suppliers’ access to the market.

Increased Focus on Transactions in Key Sectors
The Competition Council reiterates its position regarding the promotion of the simplification of procedures for the review of notifications of economic concentration transactions. At the same time, cases involving concentrations that may lead to the creation or strengthening of a dominant position in the market, and concentrations in key sectors of the national economy, such as the food retail sector, will be subject to a more detailed and thorough analysis.

Merger control remains one of the main mechanisms for preventing the distortion of the competitive environment through excessive market concentration.