German competition authority starts proceedings against Coca-Cola EP

BONN (Alliance News) - Germany's top competition authority has initiated abuse proceedings ...

Alliance News 14 November, 2023 | 11:10AM
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BONN (Alliance News) - Germany's top competition authority has initiated abuse proceedings against Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Germany due to possible anti-competitive discount structures.

"There are indications of Coca-Cola possibly restricting the opportunities of other companies to compete based on how it structures its terms offered to German food retailers," Federal Cartel Office President Andreas Mundt said.

"We will now take a closer look at this."

The company, which is responsible for bottling and distributing all beverage brands owned by Coca-Cola Co in Germany, confirmed the investigation when asked by dpa.

"We are convinced that the proven business model of Coca-Cola Europacific Partners in Germany with a balanced price and conditions concept is legally compliant. It is based on a fair principle of performance and consideration," said Vice President Andrea Weckwert.

According to the competition authority, it will first examine whether Coca-Cola has a dominant position in the soft drinks market and is therefore subject to special antitrust regulations.

It will also investigate whether the conditions demanded by Coca-Cola from German food retailers fulfil the requirements.

This will involve the question of whether companies in the food retail sector could have been induced in an unauthorized manner to purchase Coca-Cola's entire product range, place it on shelves and advertise it, thereby putting other beverage manufacturers at a disadvantage.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners shares traded 0.7% lower at EUR56.60 each on Tuesday morning in London.

source: dpa

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

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Securities Mentioned in Article

Security Name Price Change (%) Morningstar
Rating
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC 6,080.00 GBX 1.00
Coca-Cola Co 62.84 USD 0.74

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