FAS INITIATED AN ANTIMONOPOLY CASE AGAINST PYATEROCHKA AND MAGNIT RETAIL CHAINS

In connection with numerous complaints from citizens on the issue of rising sugar prices and the lack of goods on store shelves, the Voronezh UFAS, together with the prosecutor's office, checked the work of the distribution centers of Agrotorg LLC (Pyaterochka) and Thunder JSC (Magnit).

During the inspection, it was found that there is enough granulated sugar in the storages of retail chains to meet the demand in retail stores Pyaterochka and Magnit of the Voronezh region. At the same time, in the period from March 9 to March 21, 2022, it was not present at the stores.

Thus, the companies synchronously did not supply goods to the stores, supporting the feverish demand.

According to the Law on Protection of Competition* agreements between competitors, if they can lead to the establishment or maintenance of prices, are prohibited.

Taking into account the revealed facts, the Voronezh UFAS initiated an antimonopoly case against the companies. In case of establishing a liability in accordance with the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation, the collusion participants will face turnover fines.

* Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Article 11 of Federal Law No. 135-FZ of 26.07.2006 “On Protection of Competition”