Statement on Commission announcement regarding AgeCore and Coopernic

The European Commission closed today two investigations into European retail alliances - AgeCore and Coopernic - finding no evidence of anticompetitive effects stemming from the joint negotiations. They also confirm that maintaining the capacity of retailers to reduce prices to consumers is a key objective of competition policy.

Christel Delberghe, Director General at EuroCommerce – the European retail and wholesale association - commented: ‘We welcome the European Commission’s conclusions, recognising that alliances are a key tool for retailers and wholesalers to more effectively negotiate with suppliers to offer lower prices and increased choices, especially in times of high inflation. Alliances play a key role for retailers and wholesalers to source products within the Single Market to the benefit of consumers.’

The positive role of alliances is also recognised in the new Commission guidelines on horizontal cooperation agreements.