Belgium Competition Watchdog Closes Carrefour & Provera Probe

The Investigation and Prosecution Service of the Belgian Competition Authority has closed an investigation into the purchasing alliance between Carrefour and Provera after receiving commitments

In May 2019, the Prosecutor-general of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) opened an ex-officio investigation regarding the purchasing agreement concluded in November 2018 between Carrefour Belgium and Provera (Louis Delhaize group’s purchasing unit, including a.o. Cora, Match, Smatch, Delitraiteur, and Louis Delhaize shops) – (hereinafter referred to as “the parties”) which concerns national brand products from approximately 140 suppliers as well as some first-price products originally negotiated by Carrefour.

In the days following the opening of this investigation, dawn raids were carried out at the premises of Carrefour and Provera. In its preliminary assessment, the Investigation and Prosecution Service of the BCA considered that the negotiation of the purchasing conditions by Carrefour on behalf of the parties would present significant risks of information exchange between the parties and that the functioning of the purchasing alliance could likely impact the commercial strategy of Carrefour and Provera. The BCA considered that these exchanges of information and the functioning of the purchasing alliance could constitute infringements of competition law.

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.