"This is the second case in the authority's history where we launched an investigation in the analysis of an economic concentration, which highlights the importance of this transaction and its potential impact on the market," said Bogdan Chirițoiu, President of the Competition Council. The authorisation was conditional on clear commitments designed to protect competition and consumer interests, ensuring the maintenance of La Cocoș' business model characterised by low prices and high sales volumes, supplier protection and maintaining adequate competition in the food retail market.

The Schwarz Group has committed to maintaining La Cocoș' current pricing strategy without exceeding the reference gross margin for four years after the transaction's completion. The group also pledges not to close or limit La Cocoș network activity for five years, ensuring business continuity under the same brand and current format. Additionally, Schwarz will expand the La Cocoș network nationally by opening or starting procedures for opening stores over the next five years.

The company will keep La Cocoș separate from Kaufland Romania and Lidl Romania's corporate and operational structures for five years, preserving La Cocoș' commercial independence. The commitments also include obligations not to make acquisitions below notification thresholds in the food retail market and to inform the Competition Council about commercial space acquisitions and store opening plans.

For supplier protection, the Schwarz Group committed to maintaining commercial relationships with suppliers that deliver products to La Cocoș but have no commercial relationships with Kaufland and Lidl for two years. This measure aims to maintain existing assortments in La Cocoș stores and limit the risk of increased commercial pressure on suppliers. La Cocoș currently operates stores in Ploiești, Bucharest, Brașov, Pitești, Craiova and Arad.