AGCM

PRESS RELEASE

MASS RETAILERS: ANTITRUST LAUNCHES TWO INVESTIGATIONS INTO POSSIBLE ABUSE OF DOMINANT POSITION BY COOP ESTENSE AND UNICOOP TIRRENO

Proceedings to determine whether the two cooperatives engaged in obstructionism to stop or delay the entrance of Esselunga into the provinces of Modena and Livorno

In a meeting on 23^rd February 2011, the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato launched two distinct investigations to determine whether Coop Estense and Unicoop Tirreno had abused their dominant positions in the Mass Retail markets in the provinces of Modena and Livorno.

In response to press reports and information that the Antitrust Authority requested from Esselunga, the investigations shall determine whether the two cooperatives enacted two distinct abuses of dominant position designed to stop the entrance or expansion of a competitor in the markets of reference. The abuses allegedly consisted of behavior intended to block the purchase or use of designated commercial zones in order to prevent the competitor from opening sales outlets.

According to the Antitrust Authority, the failed entrance of Esselunga may have caused significant damage to consumers in the form of higher prices and less selection.

Both parties were notified of the measures today during the course of various inspections conducted by Antitrust officials with the assistance of the Market Protection Unit of the Guardia di Finanza (Italian Tax Police).

Rome, 02^nd March 2011