I m investigation to illegal price fixing between retailers and brand manufacturers the Bundeskartellamt first penalty notices sent. This was confirmed on Friday a spokesman for the Competition Authority. Among the names of the companies concerned and the amount of the previously imposed fines, the Authority declined to comment.
According to a report by the magazine “Focus” are affected by the process almost all major German grocer , The fines could reach a total of a three-digit millions, reported the paper. Issue in the ongoing since the beginning of 2010 procedures, inter alia, any agreements of Edeka, Rewe, Aldi, Lidl and Metro with brand manufacturers in the fields of sweets, coffee, pet food and beer on the retail prices in stores.
“Crystal clear antitrust violations”
Edeka, Rewe, Aldi and Metro refused to demand an opinion on the report from. Lidl said the company was no specific penalty notice before.
The Cartel had done in the case in 2010 extensive searches of dealers and manufacturers. The President of the Competition Authority, Andreas Mundt, said last fall the “Lebensmittel Zeitung”, it’ll go “to crystal clear antitrust violations to bid rigging”.
reason to distrust
The Bundeskartellamt observed the competition in the food retail sector for some time with particular attention. The competition watchdogs is especially high concentration in the industry and the ongoing trend of further mergers an eyesore. The sector inquiry the Authority “buyer power in the food retail sector” returned last year, join the Edeka, Rewe, Aldi and Schwarz Group Lidl and Kaufland about 85 percent of the nationwide sales in the grocery trade up.
According to the Competition Authority, the companies of the leading group thus a serious advantage over their medium-sized competitors and enjoy structural advantages that may use them in the negotiations with the manufacturers.
However, otherwise have any cartel reason to distrust. Whether sausage, beer, sugar, coffee or frozen pizza: There is hardly any area in the food trade, in which the competition watchdog not encountered in recent years to illegal price fixing. Mostly, however, these were to “horizontal” cartels between manufacturers. Should have in this case is, however, to “vertical” agreements, manufacturers and distributors on the retail price taken – to the detriment of competition and thus the
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