Investigation into certain large supermarkets and dairy processors regarding retail pricing practices for certain dairy products

The OFT is investigating whether certain large supermarkets and dairy processors have breached the Chapter I prohibition of the Competition Act 1998.

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Introduction

On 20 September 2007 the OFT issued a statement of objections alleging that the parties had colluded to increase the retail prices of certain dairy products in 2002 and/or 2003, in breach of the Chapter I prohibition.

On 7 December 2007 and on 15 February 2008, the OFT announced that it had reached early resolution agreements with seven of the parties, who had admitted involvement in anti-competitive practices and had agreed to pay individual penalties which came to a combined maximum of over £120m before discounts.

On 23 July 2009 the OFT issued a supplementary statement of objections (SSO), setting out additional evidence in support of the OFT's allegations.

The OFT will carefully consider any representations received in response to the SSO, and the evidence as a whole, before reaching a final decision in relation to whether or not the law has been breached, in the first quarter of 2010. This timescale must be seen as indicative only rather than as a definitive timetable, as it is dependent on the nature and volume of the representations the OFT may receive in response to the recent SSO.

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Further information

See press releases 170/07 and 22/08 for further information on this early resolution.
 
Date of opening: September 2003

Team Leader: Tom Heideman (020 7211 8499, tom.heideman@oft.gsi.gov.uk)

Project Directors: Ann Pope (020 7211 8786, ann.pope@oft.gsi.gov.uk), Andrew Groves (020 7211 8927, andrew.groves@oft.gsi.gov.uk)

Senior Responsible Owner: Sonya Branch (020 7211 8707, sonya.branch@oft.gsi.gov.uk)

Case reference: CE/3094-03

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