Press release from the Competition Council regarding the economic concentration project concerning the acquisition by the company ‘Marjane Holding SA’ of joint control of the company ‘Pathé Californie Casablanca SAS’, alongside the company ‘Pathé Cinémas SAS’

In accordance with Article 13 of Law No. 104-12 on freedom of prices and competition and Article 10 of Decree No. 2-14-652 adopted for its implementation, as amended and supplemented, the Competition Council makes available to the public the ‘summary of the operation’ below, containing the information provided by the parties.

This information was prepared by the notifying parties, who are solely responsible. Any inaccurate or distorted information contained therein does not in any way prejudge the Competition Council’s position on the proposed operation.

The publication of this press release does not attest to the completeness of the file provided for in Article 9 of Decree No. 2-14-652 adopted for the implementation of Law No. 104-12 on freedom of prices and competition as amended and supplemented.

Names of the companies and groups concerned:

• The acquirer: ‘Marjane Holding SA’;
• The current shareholder: ‘Pathé Cinémas SAS’;
• The target: ‘Pathé Californie Casablanca SAS’.

Nature of the operation

• Joint control acquisition.

Economic sectors concerned

• Cinematographic complexes operating sector.

Deadline for interested third parties to submit their observations

• 10 days from the date of publication of this press release, i.e. June 2, 2025.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL SUMMARY OF THE OPERATION PROVIDED BY THE PARTIES

The Competition Council received notification of an economic concentration operation concerning the joint control acquisition by the company ‘Marjane Holding SA’ of the company ‘Pathé Californie Casablanca SAS’, through the acquisition of 60% of its share capital and related voting rights alongside the company ‘Pathé Cinémas SAS’.

‘Marjane Holding SA’ is a Moroccan joint stock company with its registered office at Route De Bouskoura, Centre Commercial Marjane, Ct 1029, Commune De Ain Chock, Casablanca, Morocco, registered with the Casablanca Trade Register under number 63513. It specializes in large-scale distribution through the operation of hypermarkets, supermarkets, and specialized stores in household appliances and electronics, as well as in commercial real estate management and the development of shopping centers in Morocco.

‘Pathé Cinémas SAS’ is a French simplified joint stock company, with its registered office at 1, Rue Meyerbeer, 75009 Paris, France, registered with the Paris Trade and Companies Register under number 392 962 304. Its main activity is the operation of cinematographic complexes in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Tunisia, Morocco, the Netherlands, and Senegal.

‘Pathé Californie Casablanca SAS’ is a single-member simplified joint stock company, with its registered office at 17, Rue El Bouhtouri, Quartier Gauthier, Casablanca, Morocco. Its activity focuses on the operation of cinematographic complexes and any related activities. It operates a cinema multiplex with 8 screens at the Californie Mall.

 

Done in Rabat on May 22, 2025.