The Bundeskartellamt has granted approval for Wellhub, Inc. to acquire Urban Sports GmbH (USC), both of which operate as fitness and wellbeing aggregators. They provide framework contracts for corporate clients, allowing employees to access various fitness and wellbeing services. USC also offers services for private users.

Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt, noted that the merger would further reduce the already limited number of aggregator offerings for corporate clients in Germany. However, he emphasized that this is a dynamic and rapidly growing market with larger competitors present. The authority has observed some exclusivity agreements between aggregators and fitness providers, but larger partner companies typically collaborate with multiple aggregators.

The offerings from fitness and wellbeing aggregators differ from those of traditional gyms, creating a new type of membership that allows access to a variety of fitness and wellbeing options rather than a flat-rate access to a specific gym.

USC holds a significant market position in Germany for fitness and wellbeing aggregation for private consumers, but Wellhub does not have a similar offering. Therefore, the merger primarily affects the corporate client segment. The Bundeskartellamt also considered potential interactions between corporate and consumer offerings, concluding that the merger would not significantly impair competition.