Swiss food manufacturer and retailer Coop has been given permission by the EU to assume full ownership of Germany-based food wholesaler TransGourmet. 

Coop has shared control of TransGourmet with German retailer Rewe since 2007. TransGourmet, which sells food and other consumer products in France, Germany, Poland, Romania, Switzerland and Russia, claims to be Europe’s second-largest cash-and-carry and foodservice company. It generated sales of EUR5.8bn in 2009 and employed 21,000 staff.  

The European Commission did not impose conditions on the deal, which it approved as the EU’s senior competition authority.

Coop said the deal “reinforces its commitment to B2B” and would help give its wholesale customers the best quality at attractive prices.