In a decision issued on February 28, 2019, the FCA authorized, subject to conditions, the acquisition of the Marie Brizard Group by Compagnie Financière Européenne de Prises de Participation (Cofepp).^[1] Marie Brizard and Cofepp’s businesses overlap on the wine and spirits market. After having ruled out any risk of harm to competition on the on-trade channel (cafés, hotels, restaurants, etc.), the FCA examined the effects of the transaction on the mass retail channel. On this channel, the FCA considered that the transaction was not likely to create a risk of harming competition on the vodka and whisky markets, given that a number of other brands are available to consumers. In contrast, due to the creation of a quasi-monopoly on the port wine and tequila markets, the transaction was only authorized subject to the sale of the port wine brand Pitters and the tequila brand Tiscaz to one or several independent operators.

[1]              FCA, decision n°19-DCC-36 of February 28, 2019, concerning the acquisition of sole control of the group Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits by Compagnie Financière Européenne de Prise de Participation (COFEPP).