Romanian Competition Council Fines Retailers Billa, Pic, Spar For Incorrect Data

"The incorrect information regarded the most privileged client clause which establishes the provider’s obligation to offer the retailer the best price on the market. The respective companies provided incorrect data regarding the inexistence of this clause in their contracts. According to the law, the Competition Council can fine the economic agents with up to 1% of their turnover for providing incorrect information during the investigations," the institution announced in its press release.

 

Out of the total value, Billa Romania was fined with RON2.15 million, Pic with RON819,000 and Spar has to pay RON256,000. The fine was applied in the period September 10-16, the institution added.

 

The impact of the most privileged client clause on the market represents one of the key elements of the investigation, alongside with the impact of the shelf taxes and the relations within the due sector, the Council stated.

 

In March, the Competition Council opened an investigation within the food products’ sale sector. The investigation targets the impact of the relations between the current players on the food retail market and the producers, processors and retailers of such products over competition rules.

 

The institution plans to make its conclusions public in the first quarter of next year.

 

Supermarket operator Billa is part of Germany’s group Rewe and operates over 30 stores in Romania. Pitesti-based company Pic is owned by the Penescu brothers and operates four hypermarkets, while Arad-registered Spar is part of Astral group owned by the Cuc family, operating 17 supermarkets in franchise system.