The Czech competition watchdog has opted not to fine retail giant Ahold after investigating its business practices with suppliers in the country.
The Dutch retailer, which at the end of 2010 had 279 stores in the Czech Republic, had been accused of abusing its market position in its dealings with suppliers. In particular, Ahold was said to have demanded a flat discount on what it paid for goods no matter when it settled the invoice before the due date.
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However, after a year-long investigation, the Czech Republic’s Office for Protection of Economic Competition (UOHS) has halted its proceedings against the retailer.
“Ahold pledged to create a system under which the discount sum would depend on the date when the invoice would be paid for,” UOHS chairman Petr Rafaj told just-food.
A spokesperson for Ahold’s Czech unit said the investigation stopped after the retailer “provided commitments which the office found to be sufficient with regards to the law on major market strength”.
The UOHS has been investigating other retailers and probes into three other retailers – Tesco, Lidl and Globus – continue.
However, German retailer Kaufland has been fined CZK13.7m. The company has appealed the verdict and a final ruling has yet to be made.
