Cartel authorities have no concerns over Jumbo sale

The Swiss Federal Competition Commission (Weko), the Swiss counterpart of the German Cartel Office, sees no reason to investigate further the sale of the Jumbo DIY stores belonging to the Geneva family holding company Maus Frères, according to press reports. Coop will therefore be permitted to acquire all 40 Jumbo stores. Following announcement of the sale in mid-April 2021, there was speculation as to whether Coop might not then assume a dominant market position on account of its Bau + Hobby chain of DIY stores. Uncertainty still exists regarding the sale price and whether Coop will continue to operate Jumbo as an independent distribution channel. Sector experts point out that Jumbo and Bau + Hobby would be very similar.