Brazil’s competition authority has barred Dutch retail giant Ahold from selling all its Brazilian assets to a single buyer.


Under the antitrust ruling, Ahold will be allowed to sell 16 of its 32 G Barbosa supermarkets together with its Bompreco supermarket chain and its Hipercard credit card company, reported Reuters.


The remaining G Barbosa stores and their distribution centres must be sold to another party, ruled the Administrative Council for Economic Defence (CADE).


The ruling means that talks between Ahold and potential buyers Wal-Mart and Brazil’s Companhia Brasileira de Distribuicao can now move forward.