# C_2013124EN.01001301.xml

| 30.4.2013 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 124/13 |
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30.4.2013

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 124/13

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.6896 — SPAR/Allianz/JV)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

2013/C 124/06

| 1. | On 22 April 2013, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Allianz SE (‘Allianz’, Germany) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of a portfolio of five shopping centers (the target) by way of purchase of shares in two newly created joint ventures (NewCo Austria and NewCo Italy) with SPAR Holding AG (‘SPAR’, Austria), subsidiary of Holdag Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH (‘Holdag’, Austria). SPAR will retain a 50 % shareholding and hence joint control over these five shopping centers. |
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1.

On 22 April 2013, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking Allianz SE (‘Allianz’, Germany) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Merger Regulation joint control of a portfolio of five shopping centers (the target) by way of purchase of shares in two newly created joint ventures (NewCo Austria and NewCo Italy) with SPAR Holding AG (‘SPAR’, Austria), subsidiary of Holdag Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH (‘Holdag’, Austria). SPAR will retain a 50 % shareholding and hence joint control over these five shopping centers.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | for SPAR: retail of food and sports goods, real-estate and shopping center activities in Austria and neighbouring countries, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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for SPAR: retail of food and sports goods, real-estate and shopping center activities in Austria and neighbouring countries,

| — | for Allianz: insurance and other financial services, |
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for Allianz: insurance and other financial services,

| — | for NewCo Austria: owning and operating of three shopping centers in Austria, namely Q19 (Vienna), Sillpark (Innsbruck), Atrio (Villach), |
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for NewCo Austria: owning and operating of three shopping centers in Austria, namely Q19 (Vienna), Sillpark (Innsbruck), Atrio (Villach),

| — | for NewCo Italy: owning and operating of two shopping centers in Padua, Italy, namely Le Brentelle and Ipercity. |
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for NewCo Italy: owning and operating of two shopping centers in Padua, Italy, namely Le Brentelle and Ipercity.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the EC Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the EC Merger Regulation (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the EC Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the EC Merger Regulation (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6896 — SPAR/Allianz/JV, to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301), by email to COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post, under reference number COMP/M.6896 — SPAR/Allianz/JV, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘EC Merger Regulation’).

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(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32 (‘Notice on a simplified procedure’).

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