Tesco and Carrefour, two of the world's leading food retailers, are in the spotlight once again after competition authorities in Slovakia have raised questions about their planned store swap deal in the country, local press have reported.
Local reports are stating that the Slovakian competition office has questioned the deal, through which Tesco hopes to acquire Carrefour’s four Slovakian and 11 Czech hypermarkets in exchange for six completed and two planned Tesco hypermarkets in Taiwan.
A spokesperson said the competition office has requested that Tesco, already the market leader in the Slovakian grocery retail market, presents itself to them to outline how it will eliminate foreseeable problems resulting from deal, NamNews has reported.
Talks between the government watchdog and retailers about how to ensure the Slovakian market can remain competitive will now be held before a decision is reached.
In May the retailers decided to push on with the Czech side of the deal, while still awaiting authorization from the Slovakian authorities.