Commission opens in-depth investigation into XXXLutz's proposed acquisition of Porta

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess XXXLutz's proposed acquisition of Porta, under the EU Merger Regulation. The Commission has preliminary concerns that the transaction may significantly impact effective competition in the markets for the retail supply of furniture and the procurement of furniture in several Member States.

XXXLutz and Porta are two of the largest furniture retailers in Germany, Czechia, and Slovakia. The transaction would combine more than 140 furniture stores under Porta's brands 'Porta', ‘Boss' and 'Asko', with more than 1,800 stores that sell furniture in many European countries, under XXXLutz's brands like 'XXXLutz', 'Home24', 'Mömax', 'Roller', 'Poco' and 'Möbelix', and that jointly procure their furniture through XXXLutz's purchasing association GIGA International.

The Commission's preliminary concerns

The Commission's preliminary investigation indicates that the transaction may significantly reduce competition:

• in the markets for the retail supply of furniture in Germany, Czechia and Slovakia. In particular, the Commission preliminarily found that XXXLutz is one of the largest furniture retailers in Europe, and both XXXLutz and Porta rank among the strongest furniture retailers in those Member States. Many of their retail stores compete for customers in the same local areas. In Germany, the position of XXXLutz and Porta is particularly strong when considering markets for the retail sale of furniture in discount stores. Within these markets, the transaction may remove important competitive constraints between the companies, as they are among the few players in Germany, Czechia and Slovakia operating furniture retail store networks offering the full range of furniture. This may result in higher prices and fewer choices for customers;
• in the markets for the procurement of furniture from manufacturers and suppliers in Germany, Czechia, Slovakia, and Poland. In particular, the Commission preliminarily found that XXXLutz is a major customer for furniture suppliers and appears to have significant purchasing power, thanks to its purchasing association GIGA International, through which XXXLutz's brands throughout Europe purchase furniture collectively. Should Porta's brands join GIGA International, that would result in the removal of one of the very few large alternative customers. The Commission will examine whether the transaction would increase possible supplier dependence on the merged entity to the detriment of competing retailers.  

The Commission will now carry out an in-depth investigation into the potential effects of the transaction to determine whether its initial competition concerns are confirmed.

The proposed transaction was notified to the Commission on 7 September 2026. The Commission now has 90 working days, until 25 February 2027 to take a decision.

The opening of an in-depth investigation does not prejudge its outcome.

Companies and products

XXXLutz KG, headquartered in Austria, is active in several European countries in the retail sale and procurement of furniture, furnishings and household goods and, to a more limited extent, electronics and appliances. The retail brands under which it operates include 'XXXLutz', 'Mömax', 'Roller', 'Braun', 'Home24' and 'Möbelix'. XXXLutz's shareholders also hold controlling shareholdings in the furniture groups 'POCO', 'But', 'Conforama France', 'Conforama Iberia' and 'Conforama Switzerland'.

Porta, headquartered in Germany, operates under the brands 'porta Möbel', 'SB Möbel Boss' and 'Möbel LETZ' in Germany, as well as 'ASKO' in Czechia and Slovakia. It is active in the retail sale and procurement of furniture, furnishings and household goods as well as electronics and appliances. 

Merger control rules and procedure

The Commission has the duty to assess mergers and acquisitions involving companies with a turnover above certain thresholds (see Article 1 of the EU Merger Regulation) and to prevent concentrations that would significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area ('EEA') or any substantial part of it.

The vast majority of notified mergers do not pose competition problems and are cleared after a routine review. From the moment a transaction is notified, the Commission generally has 25 working days to decide whether to grant approval (Phase I) or to start an in-depth investigation (Phase II).

In addition to the current transaction, there are currently three ongoing phase II merger investigations: (i) the proposed acquisition of Anglo American's nickel business by MMG; (ii) the  proposed joint venture between UPM and Sappi; and (iii) the proposed merger between Saipem and Subsea7.

For more information

More information will be available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11895.

The Commission is also investigating whether XXXLutz and Porta may have engaged in gun jumping by taking actions that contribute to the change of control of the acquired company before a formal notification to the Commission. This investigation is separate from the one opened today, which focuses on the impact of the transaction on competition. More information on the gun jumping investigation is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11895.AP.