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15 wholesalers and retailers on suspicion of cartels: house searches at Landi and Co.
In Weko’s sights: The Landi and 14 other distributors. Photo: trapezoidal
The Competition Commission (Weko) has opened an investigation against several wholesalers and retailers and the payment processor Markant. The procedure refers to any anti-competitive measures against suppliers of everyday goods.
In addition to Markant Handels- und Industriewaren-Vermittlungs AG, a total of 15 wholesalers and retailers are affected by the Weko investigation, as Weko’s deputy director Frank Stüssi announced on Thursday at the request of the AWP news agency.
These include prominent Swiss retailers such as Landi, Loeb, Manor, Spar, Valora, and Volg. Other companies are Cruspi SA, which specializes in confectionery and snacks and sells the Haribo, Maoam and Ritter Sport brands, and the Migros subsidiary Saviva.
Pressure on suppliers
As a reason for the investigation, the Comco cites alleged agreements between the retailers and Markant. Suppliers have been encouraged to manage collection through Markant. In particular, there is talk of the threat of “collective exclusion from everyday goods.”
In other words: if the suppliers in question are not prepared to do their business with Markant, their products will fly off the shelves. According to Weko, the fees paid by suppliers to Markant were then paid in part to wholesalers and retailers.
Realization of home searches
As part of the investigation, Comco is now examining whether these alleged agreements represent unacceptable restrictions on competition. She went to several companies: “In the last two days there were house searches,” continued Stüssi. The Comco does not reveal exactly where they occurred.
However, it may take a while for current research results to be available. “Usually around two years,” says Stüssi. The duration of the process depends on several factors. These include the complexity of the case, the number of companies and, above all, the willingness of the affected companies to cooperate.
Upon request, a spokeswoman for Volg confirmed that a search of the house had been carried out on September 1. The company does not yet know the exact background of the investigation. In any event, the investigation came as a “surprise” to Volg and the authorities were assured of his full cooperation. (aeg / sda / awp)
