Complementary Mergers

Briefs

Complements are products that boost each other's sales. Examples include cars and gas stations, phones and chargers, or razors and razor blades. Unlike substitutes, consumers do not choose between these products; rather, they buy both at the same time. When two companies that produce complementary products merge, it is known as a complementary merger. A significant instance of this is the €46 billion merger between Luxottica and Essilor, which was proposed in 2017 and finalized in 2018.