EU Commission: Brussels is investigating the Porta takeover by XXXLutz

A preliminary study warns of the consequences for competition in three EU countries. But that doesn't mean the deal is banned.

XXXLutz branch at the Rangsdorf location: Brussels has until February 25, 2027 to make a decision. Photo: XXXLutz Germany

Brussels. The EU Commission is investigating possible distortions of competition in the planned takeover of Porta by the Austrian furniture giant XXXLutz. According to a preliminary investigation, there are indications that the merger could harm competition in Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the Brussels authority said.

XXXLutz and Porta have a particularly strong position in the area of ​​furniture discounters, especially in the Federal Republic. According to the Commission, many of their branches compete for customers in the same regions. The authorities are concerned that if mutual competitive pressure were to disappear, there would be a risk of higher prices and less choice for customers.

The Commission also sees risks for the markets in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland on the procurement side. XXXLutz is already an important customer for furniture manufacturers and has considerable purchasing power.

If the Porta brands also became part of XXXLutz, one of the few large alternative customers would no longer be available, according to the statement. The Commission now wants to examine whether this would make suppliers more dependent on the merged company.

The Brussels authority has until February 25, 2027 to make a decision. The investigations that have now been expanded do not mean that the takeover will ultimately be prohibited.

The investigation has been ongoing since the summer

The commission had already started an investigation in July. The competition authorities suspect that the companies did not wait until approval was received before carrying out the takeover.

According to the Commission, the project was only registered in Brussels on September 7th of this year. The planned transaction between XXXLutz and Porta was therefore publicly announced at the beginning of January 2025.

According to EU rules, until approval is granted, the companies involved are not allowed to take any measures that lead to a de facto change of control - such as the coordination of business processes or the exchange of sensitive and competition-relevant information. According to its own information, the EU Commission had indications that XXXLutz and Porta may have violated this so-called standstill obligation.

Related topics

GermanyEU CommissionEuropean UnionCzech Republic

Concern in the furniture industry

Last year, the German furniture industry spoke of “dramatic news” in view of the planned takeover. “If this purchase were to take place, the already high concentration in the German furniture trade would further intensify and reach a threatening level,” said a reaction from the German furniture industry associations.

The XXXLutz group of companies, which also includes Roller, Home24, Mömax and Poco, claims to be one of the world's largest furniture retailers. Porta has been around since 1965. At that time, the first furniture store was built near Porta Westfalica.

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