Investment of 20.54億元 in Taiwan LOPIA Business
The Uni-President Group announced in 2026年4月底 that its subsidiary President Chain Store would invest about 新台幣20.54億元 to strategically invest in the Taiwan business of Japanese fresh supermarket Lopia. Lopia Japan plans to spin off the supermarket and food manufacturing businesses of the LOPIA supermarkets operated by its Taiwan branch, establishing 2 new companies — a retail supermarket company and a food processing company — with President Chain Store acquiring 51% and 49% stakes in the 2 new companies respectively. On 9日, the Fair Trade Commission decided not to prohibit the merger due to no significant competition concerns.
Turnover Reaches Threshold, Merger Filing Required by Law
The Fair Trade Commission stated that because the turnover of President Chain Store and Lopia Japan reached the merger filing threshold, and no exemption under Article 第12條 of the Fair Trade Act applied, Uni-President Enterprises and other enterprises filed the merger notification in accordance with the law. Uni-President Enterprises and President Chain Store operate food manufacturing, chain convenience stores and other businesses, while Lopia mainly operates mass-market supermarkets and food manufacturing. In addition, Kangdasengtong Company and Tongkang Company under Uni-President Enterprises also operate mass-market supermarkets under the brands 萬家福, 樂家康, and Mia C'bon. The Fair Trade Commission evaluated the case from horizontal, vertical and conglomerate merger perspectives.
Three-Pronged Assessment Finds No Significant Competition Concerns
For horizontal merger, Lopia's market share in mass-market supermarkets and food manufacturing is very low, the incremental market share from the merger is limited, and other competitive operators remain in the market with diverse shopping choices for consumers, making it difficult to find substantial lessening of market competition. For vertical merger, the relevant food manufacturing supply scale of the participating enterprises accounts for a low share of the overall food processing and manufacturing market, and other suppliers remain available in the market, making it difficult to find significant market foreclosure effects. For conglomerate merger, although President Chain Store may enhance Lopia's brand exposure through cross-channel marketing and integration of membership resources, considering competition in the relevant markets, there is no concrete evidence showing it would significantly change the competitive landscape.
Overall Economic Benefits Found to Outweigh Disadvantages
The Fair Trade Commission further stated that the merger helps the participating enterprises integrate food manufacturing, logistics and retail channel resources, improve operational efficiency, and is expected to increase product and service choices and promote industrial investment, bringing overall economic benefits. Accordingly, after deliberation, the Fair Trade Commission concluded the merger raises no significant competition concerns in the relevant markets and that overall economic benefits outweigh the disadvantages from restricted competition, and pursuant to Article 第13條第1項 of the Fair Trade Act, it will not prohibit the merger.