Markus Mosa, the CEO of Edeka, stated that in the event of Tegut’s acquisition, the company plans to retain all of its current employees. According to Mosa, his goal is to keep “all markets, including locations that are particularly economically challenging” operational, thus taking over all employees currently working there. He described this as a critical concern for him and Edeka, especially given Migros’s planned complete withdrawal from Germany and considering the current overall economic situation. He emphasized that any job that can be saved is a victory.
Following Migros’s exit, Edeka aims to take over 200 branches of the Tegut supermarket chain. However, this deal still requires approval from the Federal Cartel Office.
Mosa added that Edeka will establish a “clear future prospect for the Tegut stores and their employees in the affected regions”. He stated that they will economically stabilize the locations, secure approximately 4,500 jobs, and guarantee local provisions for the community.
However, Mosa dismissed critics who claimed that Edeka’s continued growth exacerbates power concentration in the retail sector and drives up consumer prices. He argued that food prices in Germany are low compared to the EU average, yet maintain very high product quality and variety. He asserted this point is not merely a subjective perception of international shoppers, but is also objectively proven and recognized by the Federal Cartel Office. Furthermore, he claimed that his company had demonstrated to the Cartel Office, using actual data, that Edeka has not profited from inflation in the food sector.
In related comments, Mosa criticized his existing suppliers and global brand conglomerates, singling them out as the cause of rising consumer prices. He pointed to the price development of major brands over the period from 2023 to the present as an example. Specifically, he stated, “A concrete example: the average price development for Nestlé chocolate products is about 40 percent higher than our own private label brands during this period. One must therefore question who truly holds the market power”.
Finally, the Edeka CEO appealed to the Federal Cartel Office to decide quickly regarding the Tegut acquisition. He expressed absolute confidence that the office understands the importance of this process for the future of Tegut’s employees and suppliers, and ultimately for local consumers, urging a decision as soon as possible. While acknowledging the need for thorough review by the Cartel Office, Mosa warned that the alternative to Edeka’s purchase is clear: the closure of local stores and the loss of thousands of jobs. He concluded by expressing his deepest wish for swift clarity from Bonn for all employees working at Tegut and for everyone who continues to shop there.