Lidl cleared to acquire 19 Auchan Supermarché stores in France

Core Viewpoint - Lidl has received approval from France's competition authority to acquire 19 Auchan Supermarché stores and associated service stations, with no conditions imposed on the deal [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition includes 19 food retail stores and eight service stations linked to those stores [1]. - The formal notification of the acquisition was submitted to the Autorité de la Concurrence on August 20, 2025 [1]. Group 2: Regulatory Scrutiny - The Autorité de la Concurrence conducted a thorough investigation to ensure the acquisition would not harm local competition regarding pricing or consumer choice [2]. - The regulator concluded that the deal would not negatively impact the competitive environment [2]. Group 3: Market Impact - Lidl is expected to maintain modest market shares in the affected areas, allowing consumers to continue accessing a variety of competitive options [3]. - The acquisition is not anticipated to disrupt competition in the fuel retail sector [3]. Group 4: Technological Advancements - In July 2025, Lidl GB introduced a self-scanning feature in its Lidl Plus loyalty app to enhance the in-store shopping experience [3]. - A "friends and family trial" for the self-scanning feature began in September at four stores, with a broader rollout planned for 2026 [4].