This article examines the emergence of exploitative portfolio effects as a standalone theory of harm in EU merger control. Unlike the traditional exclusionary conglomerate framework — which targets foreclosure of competitors through bundling or tying — the exploitative theory posits that combining complementary branded product portfolios can strengthen a merged firm’s bargaining power vis-à-vis retailers, enabling the extraction of higher wholesale prices to the ultimate detriment of co
...THIS ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE TO CPI SUBSCRIBERS
Please verify email or join us to access premium content!