Communication
The aim of the protection of market competition is primarily to create benefits for consumers and equal conditions for all entrepreneurs on the market, who, acting in accordance with the existing rules and competing on the market with the quality, price and innovation of their products and services, contribute to the overall development of the economy.
Cleared concentration between ARH CEE and Studenac
The Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) found that the concentration will produce effects in the groceries retail market in the territories of Split-Dalmatia County, Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Zadar County, Šibenik-Knin County and Lika-Senj County.
Based on the pre-notification the transaction involves the acquisition of direct control over the undertaking Studenac by the undertaking ARH CEE. ARH CEE is a special purpose entity, a part of the EI group under the control of investment funds that, among other activities, provides capital investment services and equity instruments and offering a wide range of venture capital investment in undertakings that are believed to have long-term growth potential.
With the target company Studenac already present in the market, ARH CEE as the acquiring company enters the market concerned and there will be no changes in the market structure.
In 2017 Studenac held a market share between [0-5] % and [10-20] % depending on the county. Its most important competitors are Konzum, Tommy, Plodine, Lidl and other regional retailers. In the whole territory of Croatia its market share ranges from [0-5] %.
The groceries retail market is very dynamic with a raising trend, there are many competing undertakings at the national, regional and local level.
Taking into account the market structure, the market power and the market shares of the undertakings participants to the concentration the CCA found that the concentration concerned will not produce any anticompetitive effects since it does not create or strengthen a dominant position in the market.