Empresas SB acquires Rotter & Krauss following FNE approval

Chile's National Economic Prosecutor's Office (FNE) has approved the acquisition of the optical chain Rotter & Krauss by Empresas SB, the parent company of the pharmacy chain Salcobrand.

Following an investigation into potential market impacts, the FNE concluded that the merger would not substantially reduce competition. While the regulator identified some horizontal overlap in specific product lines—such as over-the-counter eyewear and certain ophthalmic drops sold in both pharmacies and optical shops—it determined these overlaps do not pose a significant competitive risk.

Empresas SB operates across various sectors, including pharmaceutical retail through Salcobrand and beauty distribution via Preunic and DBS. Rotter & Krauss is controlled by HAL Optical Investments B.V., a holding company established under Dutch law, operating in Chile through RyK Holding de Chile and Chile Holding Óptico.