Russian antitrust to block Auchan expanding in Moscow Reg

MOSCOW, Aug 22 (PRIME) – Russia’s antitrust will file a suit to annul two land purchase and rental agreements of Atak, a branch of France’s Auchan, in the Moscow Region, the watchdog said on a statement Friday.

“The results of unscheduled checks of Atak’s documents showed that the company made the purchase and rental contracts for holding trading operations with violations of the antimonopoly legislation,” the antitrust said.

Under the law, the retailer, whose market share exceeded 25% in monetary terms in the past financial year, cannot purchase or rent new areas within the municipal area or city district.

Atak has over 100 branded stores in Russia, and Auchan has 79 stores.

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