The Bundeskartellamt, Germany's competition authority, has granted EDEKA permission to acquire 178 tegut supermarkets and other business segments, while mandating that EDEKA abstains from acquiring 24 specific tegut locations for a period of four years. This decision addresses competitive concerns identified during extensive investigations.

Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt, emphasized the thorough examination of the merger, particularly in relation to the affected markets. The investigations revealed that without the commitments, the merger would significantly impair competition in 34 regional markets, potentially harming consumers.

The original proposal included the acquisition of 202 tegut supermarkets, 41 automated teo locations, a bakery, and a logistics center. The Bundeskartellamt has been scrutinizing the merger since March 2026 and provided a draft competitive assessment to the parties involved in July 2026.

The authority evaluates mergers in the grocery retail sector from two perspectives: their impact on competition for consumers and their effects on manufacturers and suppliers. The investigations indicated that the merger would have led to a substantial reduction in competition in several regions, particularly in Hesse, Thuringia, Northern Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg.

Despite the concentration of market power among major retailers like EDEKA, REWE, and the Schwarz Group, the authority found no evidence of collective dominance in the markets. EDEKA holds a significant market share but does not dominate the procurement markets, where it faces competition from other major retailers.

As part of the conditions, EDEKA has committed to not demanding 'wedding discounts' from suppliers, ensuring fair procurement conditions. The authority has also prohibited EDEKA from entering into lease agreements for the 24 locations for four years, allowing for continued competition in those areas.