The European Commission and the French competition authority raided retailers Casino Guichard-Perrachon SA and Intermarché SAS on May 20 to investigate potential cartel activity and other restrictive business practices.
In its May 22 release, the European Commission said it made unannounced visits to two French grocers and had not set a deadline for the investigation. The raids do not assume the retailers are guilty, it added.
Casino confirmed to Reuters that its Paris headquarters was inspected by agents, while the newswire said Intermarche also confirmed the probe, citing French daily Le Figaro.
Intermarche and Casino did not immediately respond to requests for comment from S&P Global Market Intelligence.