Category: Latest

End of contract alerts to be initiated in the UK

First published by Author on May 15, 2019 in the following categories: Industry Latest Pricing and tagged with incentives | loyalty penalties | pricing

investigation into retail banking competition

We welcome the move to enforce end of contract alerts, which is set to put the consumer firmly back behind the steering wheel when it comes to their contracts for key services.

From February 2020, broadband, phone and TV companies will have to notify their customers when they’re close to the expiry date of their contract. They’ll also have to provide information about pricing and better deals they can offer, as well as clearer information about how to cancel.

The move is aimed to stop consumers aimlessly walking into new contracts and not knowing when their current term has elapsed. This ties in with the loyalty penalty super complaint, and is designed to make sure the consumer is put first.

Provisional finding in the CMA roofing materials investigation

There’s been a provisional finding in the CMA roofing materials investigation that was launched in the summer of 2017, with three major suppliers alleged to be in a cartel.

The CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) believes that the three alleged cartel companies have been allocating customers, as well as information sharing and colluding on price. This type of behaviour usually only leads to one thing: bigger profits for the companies, and higher costs for the consumer.

An allegation of a cartel finding is incredibly serious, and the companies at the heart of this investigation could be issued significant fines that can run into the millions.

Suspected anti-competitive agreements in the musical instruments sector

First published by Author on May 02, 2019 in the following categories: Industry Investigations Latest and tagged with cma | competition law | investigations | musical instruments

Regulators have opened investigations into the musical instruments sector on the basis that there may be anti-competitive agreements that can be detrimental to the consumer.

The investigation has been launched by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) who are the UK’s primary watchdog when it comes to enforcing healthy competition. Anti-competitive agreements that result in cartels, price fixing, and other forms of collusion can be damaging to the consumer. Profits can be inflated for the businesses, and the consumer can end up paying more; which is the opposite to what healthy competition should ensure.

It’s therefore within the public’s interests for suspected anti-competitive agreements to be thoroughly investigated. If the consumer is being ripped off, the companies involved in the behaviour must be punished.

Further action set for the CMA’s secondary ticketing and Viagogo case?

First published by Author on April 10, 2019 in the following categories: Investigations Latest and tagged with advertising | cma | competition law | investigations

There’s more news in the Competition and Market Authority’s (CMA) secondary ticketing and Viagogo case. And it could be huge.

You may recall that we’ve been tracking this case for a while now. At the start of 2019, a Viagogo, StubHub and Ticketmaster were all required to undertake serious changes to their business behaviour. This came in to effect as of midnight on 17^th January 2019.

However, the CMA conducted some simple checks on 24^th January 2019. They say that they found that Viagogo had failed to comply with the court order against them. Now, Viagogo is potentially facing further legal action for contempt of court.

Provisional finding in hydrocortisone competition case

There’s been a provisional finding by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the important hydrocortisone competition case, with a Statement of Objections issued.

In the coming weeks, the CMA expect written and oral representations to be made following the Statement of Objections that’s been issued.

The provisional findings of the CMA are incredibly worrying. It all comes down whether the two companies at the heart of the investigation colluded in order to charge higher prices and make bigger profits; all at the expense of our NHS, and our hard-earned tax money.

Latest in the statutory audit market study

First published by Author on March 14, 2019 in the following categories: Incentives Industry Investigations Latest and tagged with cma | competition law | investigations

The statutory audit market study was launched in October 2018, and we’re set to know more about the outcomes toward the end of this year.

This is a key market sector where the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) has raised a number of concerns that they’re looking into. Despite previous improvements in the sector that appear to have strengthened competition, Deloitte, E&Y, KPMG and PwC reportedly remain the “go-to” auditors for the majority of large companies.

There’s also a concern as to whether there’s a lack of incentive to produce challenging reviews in terms of the performance of the companies as well.

Deadline set for the investigation into funeral costs

First published by Author on February 21, 2019 in the following categories: Investigations Latest and tagged with cma | funerals market | investigations | market study

The deadline has been set for the investigation into funeral costs that appear to have soared in recent years.

We should know by May 2019 whether any further action is to be taken. This could be a formal investigation into whether breaches of consumer law is taking place, or additional studies of the market and its workings.

To point out the obvious, we’re all going to die at some point. Given that dying comes with costs, this is an important sector when it comes to healthy competition and consumer protection. That’s not just because the industry is worth billions, or the fact that it’s usually a sad time for many, but also because there’s always going to be a market for it (we assume!).

Crackdown after social media influencer investigation

First published by Author on February 08, 2019 in the following categories: Incentives Investigations Latest Selling Restrictions and tagged with advertising | cma | competition law | incentives | investigations

A crackdown has been launched after a social media influencer investigation raised concerns that some product endorsements may be breaching vital competition law.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has reportedly written to a number of high-profile celebrities about their social media influencing habits. As a result of the warning letters, some social medial influencers have promised to clearly state if they’re being rewarded for endorsing products. Among those who have made the formal commitments are singers Rita Ora and Ellie Goulding.

We welcome this move and the cooperation of those involved so far.

Investigation into financial services sector for suspected anti-competitive practices

First published by Author on January 25, 2019 in the following categories: Industry Latest and tagged with cma | investigations

The CMA opened an investigation into the financial services sector for suspected anti-competitive practices at the end of last year.

The investigation has only just begun, so no assumptions are made as of yet. The particular companies who may be of interest in the investigation are yet to be named, and it’s the initial information-gathering stage that has begun.

The financial services sector is a huge one, so healthy competition is important. Any breaches of the law will need to be punished accordingly.

CMA secondary ticketing investigation updated

First published by Author on January 18, 2019 in the following categories: Investigations Latest Price Hikes Pricing and tagged with cma | pricing | secondary ticketing

There has been another update in the CMA secondary ticketing investigation following on from the recent court action against Viagogo.

As of yesterday, the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) demanded that a number of the big players in the secondary ticketing market must have improved their business behaviour. This ongoing investigation and review is hugely important given the growth in touts and overcharging. This is among practices that have arguably made pricing unclear, with the consumer not being protected by the market players.

The changes that the CMA are pushing through should help to defend the consumers against unfair practices. It should ensure consumer rights are not infringed and should enforce the ticketing companies to act more responsibly.