French supermarket groups Casino and Intermarche are being investigated by EU antitrust inspectors, the companies announced on Wednesday, May 22, after EU regulators said they were looking into a potential breach of rules that prohibit cartels.
The European Commission announced its antitrust inspectors raided the premises of two French grocery retailers earlier this week as part of a preliminary investigation. It did not identify the companies and stated the move did not mean they were guilty.
Casino separately stated that Commission agents visited its Paris headquarters this week, but did not provide further details.
“The Commission has concerns that two grocery retail companies may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive businesses practices,” it said in a statement.
“The fact that the Commission carries out such inspections does not mean that the companies are guilty of anti-competitive behavior nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself,” it added.
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