The French State Council upholds a €20M fine against a retailer specialising in cultural and electronic products for breach of merger commitments (Fnac / Darty)

In a decision of 7 November 2019, the French State Council ("Conseil d'Etat") dismissed the appeal brought by Fnac Darty, a retailer specialising in cultural and electronic products, against a fine imposed by the French Competition Authority (the "FCA") for failure to comply with its obligation to divest three stores, which were conditions to the clearance of the merger between Fnac and Darty. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW - KEY TAKEAWAYS Unlike in sanction