BRUSSELS (Reuters) – EU antitrust regulators will meet Luxottica (LUX.MI) and Essilor (ESSI.PA) this week to express concerns about their 46-billion-euro ($55.12 billion) merger, a person familiar with the matter said on Monday.
The move shows that the European Commission wants concessions to address their concerns and that they are prepared to open an in-depth investigation if these are not given, or seen as insufficient.
The deal, which would create a global eyewear powerhouse, has triggered worries among retailers and competitors. Italy’s Luxottica is the world’s No. 1 spectacles maker with brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley while France’s Essilor is the top lens maker.
Reporting by Foo Yun Chee
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