OFT proposes to find that toy prices have been fixed

PN 24/02 1 May 2002

The OFT proposes to make decisions that Hasbro, Argos, Littlewoods, and a number of Hasbro's distributors (see note 1) have infringed UK competition law.

The OFT has today written to the parties setting out why it proposes to find that the companies entered into a number of agreements to fix the price of Hasbro toys and games, infringing Chapter I of the Competition Act 1998. Hasbro is one of the largest toy and games suppliers in the UK.

The parties now have the opportunity to make oral and written representations in response to the OFT's proposed decisions. These will be taken fully into account before any final decisions are made.

NOTES

1. The ten other distributors are: Lewison Ltd, of Birmingham, A B Gee of Ripley Ltd, of Belper, Derbyshire, Sellicks (Plymouth) Ltd, of Devon, George Clapperton & Son Ltd, of Edinburgh, J A Magson Ltd, of York, L B Group Ltd, of Glasgow, Newswell Ltd t/a Kardwell Hobbs Distributors, of Basildon and Enfield, Williams of Swansea Ltd, of Swansea, Youngsters Ltd, of Wallingford, Oxfordshire and Esdevium Games Ltd, of Aldershot.

2. Powers under the Competition Act 1998
The Act gives the OFT powers to investigate suspected infringements of the Act's prohibitions:

(1) the Chapter I prohibition prohibits agreements between undertakings, decisions by associations of undertakings or concerted practices which have the object or effect of preventing, restricting or distorting competition in the UK (or any part of it) and which may affect trade within the UK (or any part of it); and

(2) the Chapter II prohibition prohibits conduct by one or more undertakings which amounts to the abuse of a dominant position in a market which may affect trade within the UK (or any part of it).

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