Rewe Kaiser’s, Edeka, “Our goal is to ensure that Edeka Kaiser’s Tengelmann not … – tagesspiegel

12:42 clock Maris Hubschmid

Rewe CEO Alain Caparros talks about the market power of competitors Edeka, his enthusiasm for the online grocery buying and ambitions in Berlin.

Mr Caparros, Edeka wants to take over Kaiser’s Tengelmann and is ready to make a quarter of the markets in order to reconcile the Cartel. Would you be interested in the other branches?
No. We will not play the sweeper, so Edeka can carry out his plans. Such an offer we reject.

What if someone else takes the rest?
Our goal is that Edeka this company do not get. Edeka has already 25 percent market power. We are the second largest trader, but significantly behind with 15 percent.

We know that we are not the white knight in the eyes of the Cartel. But we stand by our promise: We are willing to accept all Kaiser’s Tengelmann locations and employees, including headquarters, logistics, production, works council and union wages. The best way would be if a third party would get the sites.

let other noble precedence?
We benefit when we are not alone against Edeka. Thus, the competition continues to function, the competition has come to a critical mass. If smaller competitors enter, strengthens especially the market leader. The Antimonopoly Office has noted the abusive behavior of Edeka to suppliers after the acquisition of Plus, as retroactive benefits for products were required which was based on better terms with the manufacturer of the discounters.

And if there is no third party?
Under the condition that the big Edeka deal is not reached, we will gladly accept individual markets. 90 percent of the branch network are of interest to us, especially in the regions Munich and Berlin. Fact: Each store, the Edeka gets weakens us. But we know that others are interested in the undertaking. The Swiss Migros might be interested in, for example, for a Bayern package. Perhaps the individual investors do not offer the purchase price, Mr. Haub presented, but the jobs would be saved.

The argument for a special permit from the Minister of Economic Affairs would be obsolete?
There is a total mess, as Edeka tried to recruit Mr. Gabriel as a witness for this wedding. Kaiser’s Tengelmann has invested in recent years, much in the shops, markets are attractive. To do so, as would be the market leader Edeka last resort, is a joke.

What does it mean for Rewe, if Edeka continues to grow?
Then we will not be able to keep up with predictable prices. There are four major players in the industry – in addition to Edeka and us the family Albrecht and black. If the competition jeopardizes will sooner or later go down a. I do not want that we are.

Are you determined to take legal action against a decision of the Competition Authority, if it is favorable to Edeka?
Yes. We will use all available options.

The market in Germany is full, new supermarkets are rarely approved. Where are you going with Rewe?
If there is no possibility of expansion more, the company must be developed from within. So we focus on new concepts, with organic markets and Rewe to go, small city shops for quick needs. There we see potential for 400 to 500 markets in Germany. The cooperation with petrol is a business model that we want to exploit.

How are things going with the online trading?
This is a great opportunity for us! The delivery service can help us to reduce the distance to Edeka. We have brought the best specialists on board, supply currently 57 cities in Germany. This offer will be further expanded. The trip goes where the customer is waiting for us – that is in doubt: home. With the sales trend, we are satisfied. Online offers us the opportunity to anywhere in the sense that where we are not as strong. For example, in Berlin. Berlin is our absolute priority.