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Food prices in Bulgaria: Businesses to remain vigilant even after the competition authority finds no anti-competitive agreements between supermarkets
In a decision that will shape the competitive landscape of the Bulgarian food market, the Bulgarian Commission for Protection of Competition (“CPC”) concluded that there is no evidence of anti-competitive agreements between the major supermarket chains regarding food prices. Background and investigation The CPC initiated an investigation in response to the significant increase in retail prices of basic food commodities observed since early 2022 and the first months of 2023. The competition authority aimed to identify any practices restricting competition, such as: covert agreements, collusion, or concerted actions among retailers. While much of the data in the CPC’s decision remains confidential
Cybersecurity: Romania transposes the NIS2 Directive. What’s next?
Directive (EU) 2022/2555 (NIS2) aims to further strengthen the cyber resilience of the EU by requiring entities in various sectors to dial up their cybersecurity efforts. NIS2 replaces the former NIS1 Directive (EU) 2016/1148, expands the range of entities falling under its provisions, and introduces stricter requirements for these entities. On 31 December 2024, the Romanian government passed Government Emergency Ordinance no. 155/2024 (GEO 155/2024) transposing NIS2 into national legislation. Whom does it concern? NIS2 and GEO 155/2024 target entities across various industry sectors and categorises them into essential and important entities. Entities active in the following areas should check whether
Kinstellar Sofia advises UniCredit Bulbank on Minimart’s first corporate bond issue
Kinstellar has advised UniCredit Bulbank as lead manager of the private placement of corporate bonds worth EUR 25 million by Minimart, a fast-growing chain of convenience stores in Bulgaria. The 250 bonds with a nominal value of EUR 100,000 each have a maturity of 5 years and an interest of 7.77%, paid twice a year. The bonds were subscribed by UniCredit Bulbank, Eurobank Bulgaria, Varengold Bank, and KBC Agro - Bulgaria. The private placement enables Minimart to further expand its retail network to 300 stores in 2025 and invest in its IT infrastructure. Kinstellar’ s team was led by Svilen Issaev (Head of Banking, Finance and Capital Markets in Sofia) and included Senior Associates Nikolay Gergov and Denitsa
Updates to gambling regulations in Ukraine
The Ukrainian parliament recently adopted Law of Ukraine No. 4116-IX[1] to combat gambling addiction (ludomania) and to improve the state regulation of activities related to the organisation and conduct of gambling and lotteries. Most of the amendments will come into force on 1 April 2025. The main changes, inter alia, include: 1. The abolition of the Commission for the Regulation of Gambling and Lotteries and the establishment of a new authorized body. 2. A significant expansion and detailing of applicable rules concerning the advertising of gambling, including: a prohibition on using patriotic themes and topics related to the war with Russia, and on using volunteers and military personnel
Kinstellar advises EBRD on supply chain financing for Profi
Kinstellar is pleased to announce that, together with Sullivan & Worcester, we have advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), partnering with Banca Transilvania on implementing a supply chain financing programme for Profi Rom Food, one of Romania’s leading retail chains. This transaction marks the EBRD’s first supply chain finance initiative in Romania aimed at strengthening a domestic value chain. The EBRD will assume up to EUR 10 million in local currency risk, effectively doubling Profi’s supply chain finance programme to EUR 20 million through a shared-risk model. Profi, which operates 1,750 stores across Romania under three brands—Super (mid-sized to large stores), Go
Kinstellar advises Orbico on strategic acquisition in Ukraine
Kinstellar has acted as Ukrainian legal counsel to Orbico Group on the acquisition of a controlling stake in SAV 92, a leading Ukrainian distributor of branded international and Ukrainian food and non-food products. This multi-stage transaction marks a significant step in Orbico's strategic expansion into the Ukrainian market. Orbico Group is a leading distributor of a large number of globally known brands ranging from beauty care to motor oil products. Orbico cooperates with more than 180 suppliers, manages more than 500 global and local brands, and supplies to more than 59,000 customers. Kinstellar’s advice included due diligence, securing unconditional merger control clearances for a gradual transfer of control
Consumer Law Update – CJEU rules that a price reduction announced in an advertisement must be calculated on the basis of the lowest price in the last 30 days
On 26 September, the Court of Justice of the European Union ("CJEU") issued its much anticipated decision in the case Aldi Süd (C-330/23) concerning the announcement of price reductions in an advertisement. At issue was whether a price reduction announced in an advertisement must be calculated on the basis of the lowest price in the last 30 days, or whether the price reduction can be calculated from another price, with the information on the lowest price in the last 30 days being provided together with the reference price for calculating the reduction (as an additional figure). The CJEU concluded that that a price reduction announced in an advertisement must be determined on the basis of the lowest price applied
Expanding opportunities for retail investors in Kazakhstan: AIFC's influence on the new legislative framework
According to the official website of the Government of Kazakhstan, the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market is working on a new legislative proposal with the goal of broadening the participation of retail investors in collective investment schemes (the "CIS") across Kazakhstan. Currently, the CIS retail business is mainly possible within the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). While this could be seen as competition with the AIFC, in the long term, the adoption of such a law will help create a solid platform for the development of funds not only within the AIFC but also throughout Kazakhstan. In these proposed innovations, we see the influence of the flexible
Kinstellar, together with Rymarz Zdort Maruta, advises SMYK Group on the amendment and extension of its financing
Kinstellar has successfully advised SMYK Group and its Romanian subsidiary, SMYK All For Kids, on all Romanian law aspects concerning the amendment and extension of its group financing. The financing transaction involved an extremely tight timeline and required seamless alignment, as it was conducted simultaneously with Bridgepoint’s sale of shares in Smyk Group to Accession Capital Partners (ACP). Kinstellar was previously selected by SMYK Group as its local advisor on various iterations of this financing, and also advised Bridgepoint on the local law aspects of Smyk’s acquisition in 2016. Smyk, established in 1952, is an iconic brand and Poland’s largest chain of stores selling toys, clothing for children
Coffee industry leaders face EUR 2 million fine and secure a conditional merger before Serbian Competition Authority
On 29 February 2024, the Serbian Competition Authority (the “SCA”) published two detailed decisions involving two largest undertakings on the Serbian coffee market. The first one relates to concerted practices that resulted in a joint fine of approximately EUR 2 million, while the other one relates to the conditional approval of the acquisition of Strauss Adriatic by Atlantic Group. As per data released by the SCA, these two enterprises collectively h approximately 70% to 80% of the coffee market in Serbia, boasting a portfolio that includes the most significant coffee brands in the region. In 2021, the SCA conducted a sectorial analysis encompassing various food markets, including a specific focus on the ground coffee
Provisional agreement reached on the Ecodesign Regulation and its impact on the fashion sector
As of 5 December 2023, the Council and European Parliament reached a provisional political agreement regarding a „Regulation establishing a Framework for setting ecodesign requirements for sustainable products“. The upcoming EU sustainability legislation is crucial as it affects a substantial part of the Consumer & Retail sector. It is of particular importance in the field of fashion and luxury industry as the points which the provisional agreement addresses have been among the hot topics of recent years in this sector. As we are closely monitoring the legislation process, click here or on the image below to explore the overview of key points of the adopted provisional agreement.
Kinstellar advises on the CZK 530 million sale of Hair Servis
Kinstellar’s Prague office has successfully advised the owners of Hair Servis, a major distributor of hairdressing brands to the Czech market, on its sale to Bezvavlasy, the second-largest seller of hair cosmetics in the Czech Republic. The value of the transaction is CZK 530 million, with part of the purchase price to be paid by the sellers receiving newly issued shares in Bezvavlasy, traded on the Prague START market. Kinstellar advised the sellers throughout the transaction, including advising on post-closing shareholder relations and deal structuring. The Kinstellar team was led by Kamil Blažek (Partner) and Matěj Večeřa (Senior Associate), assisted by Paul Válka (Junior Associate) on corporate matters