Lebensmittelhandel: Zukunft von 36 Tegut-Supermärkten noch ungeklärt

The German supermarket chain Tegut is in the midst of a significant transformation as 36 of its stores remain unsold despite the recent acquisitions by Rewe, Edeka, and Tante Enso. The former owner, Swiss cooperative Migros Zürich, disclosed this information upon request. The remaining stores are currently undergoing a bidding process to determine their future ownership.

During the takeover period, the stores will continue to operate without any changes. Migros Zürich has not disclosed the names of potential buyers for the unsold stores, nor has it provided details on the timeline for completing the bidding process or any possible closures.

The Federal Cartel Office recently approved Rewe's acquisition of 38 Tegut stores, provided the deal meets competition regulations. This follows Edeka's acquisition of 178 stores, also subject to conditions due to concerns over market concentration. Both Rewe and Edeka are restricted from acquiring too many stores, as they cannot reach their planned numbers without facing legal repercussions.

Smart-store chain Tante Enso has secured a third package of 36 Tegut locations, joining the existing group of chains in the acquisition.

These mergers have sparked controversy among experts, with the Market Monopoly Commission criticizing the high market concentration in the German grocery retail sector and warning of potential negative consequences for consumers. The four major chains in Germany already control over 90 percent of the market share in the German grocery retail industry.

Edeka's acquisition includes the Tegut logistics center in Hünfeld-Michelsrombach, the bakery Herzberger, and 41 fully automated "Teo" mini-stores, which will be managed by Yobsti Nahversorgung GmbH, a Smartstore operator from Mannheim. Edeka will supply these locations in the future.

Tegut, founded in 1947 in Fulda, has been part of the Migros Group since 2013 and operates in six German states, with the majority of its stores located in Hesse. Migros announced in March that it planned to sell Tegut, as the brand is being phased out. Tegut employed approximately 7,500 people prior to the recent takeovers.