Competition Protection Commission Investigates Retail Chains

In July 2009 the Competition Protection Commission initiated procedures against the largest retail chains in Bulgaria – Metro Cash & Carry EOOD, Billa Bulgaria EOOD, Kaufland Bulgaria EOOD, Picadili AD, Maksima Bulgaria EOOD and Hit Hypermarket EOOD – for suspected prohibited practices. The procedures were opened after the commission received several indications from the Bulgarian Confe-deration of Employers and Industrialists that the chains were engaged in anti-competitive activity.

The first phase of the procedure lasted almost two years and ended on February 8 2011 when the commission submitted a statement of objection to the retail chains. According to the commission, the retail chains had indirectly exchanged sensitive in-formation regarding: