Price fixing advice on a confidential basis
First published by Author on July 27, 2018 in the following categories: Price Fixing Price Hikes Pricing and tagged with price fixing | pricing
If you need Price fixing advice on a confidential basis, we can advise you, and we may be able to assist you with legal action as well.
Many instances of competition law infringements are highlighted by investigations conducted by the UK’s competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), or where a whistle-blower from an organisation involved in something like price fixing comes forward and confesses the activity to regulators.
But what about the traders and small businesses who are in need of price fixing advice as a victim of it themselves?
Google competition breach yields massive fine
First published by Author on July 20, 2018 in the following categories: Industry Latest and tagged with cma | market abuse
A Google competition breach has yielded a massive fine imposed by the European Commission over its behaviour surrounding Android phones.
The fine amounts to £3.9bn ($5bn) and is based on Google’s search-related revenue earned during the period the competition breach is said to have taken place.
The investigations into the Google competition breach stem back to 2015 and surround impositions of pre-installed browsers and search apps that it’s claimed has led to users not looking for alternatives, with Google paying huge sums to manufacturers to pre-install its own software.
Are we seeing any changes following the retail banking investigations?
First published by Author on July 13, 2018 in the following categories: Industry and tagged with retail banking
Following changes made by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for banking practices, are we seeing any changes following the retail banking investigations?
The major issues surrounding the retail banking investigations was about barriers to entry for new banks stifling competition, as well as customers staying with their banks due to restrictions for changing banks, overdraft issues and customer engagement concerns.
The CMA found that relevant industry practises and issues had allowed for competition to fall within the category of ‘prevented, restricted and / or distorted’. Since big changes were made, have we seen any benefits?
Venntro Media Group complaints leads to CMA warning
First published by Author on July 06, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with advertising | cma
Venntro Media Group complaints has led to a warning issued from the UK’s competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
According to the recent report, Venntro had the profiles of users of some of their online dating platforms appear on other website platforms, including websites containing explicit adult content. The CMA found that users’ information was being held on a central database, making their profiles visible on websites they hadn’t signed up to.
Venntro Media Group complaints were received by the CMA by people who were not happy that they had been signed-up to websites without realising or being properly informed; especially when some of those were adult websites.
Boots overcharging the NHS for pain-relief mouthwash
First published by Author on June 29, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations Price Hikes Pricing and tagged with cma | overpriced medication | pricing
Boots overcharging the NHS for pain relief mouthwash is a serious allegation that must be closely investigated.
The allegations are that the company behind high-street chain Boots, Walgreens Boots Alliance, are reportedly overcharging the NHS by almost 3,500% for pain-relieving mouthwash used by cancer patients.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) are considering the issue and health Minister, Steve Brine, is calling for an urgent investigation.
Musical instruments and equipment sector competition investigations
First published by Author on June 22, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations Pricing and tagged with cma | competition law
The musical instruments and equipment sector is in the midst of competition investigations over suspected anti-competitive agreements.
The UK’s competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), are investigating the sector in accordance with Chapter I CA98 and Article 101 TFEU.
This massively profitable market sector has boomed in recent years. Now, under the microscope of UK competition regulators, we will find out if there is anything that the consumers need to be concerned about when it comes to competition within the market.
Supply of solid fuel and charcoal products competition breach
First published by Author on June 15, 2018 in the following categories: Bid-Rigging Market Sharing Pricing and tagged with bid-rigging | cartels | marktet sharing | pricing
The CMA say they have found that a fuel cartel has been in place following their investigation into the supply of solid fuel and charcoal products coming to a head.
The CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) has fined two of the main suppliers in the market of bagged household fuels a total of £3.4 million having been found to have taken part in an illegal market-sharing cartel.
The two suppliers, CPL and Fuel Express, have been found in breach of competition laws by rigging competitive tenders for the supply of fuel products to Tesco and Sainsburys.
Amazon adverts under fire for being misleading
First published by Author on June 08, 2018 in the following categories: Advertising Pricing and tagged with advertising | pricing
Amazon adverts have come under fire for being ‘misleading’ in relation to advertised price savings for four electronic products. Each advert reportedly received at least one complaint, and a subsequent investigation by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) reportedly upheld the complaints.
The Amazon adverts in question were for savings of £220 that could be achieved for an LG Smart TV; £193 on a ViewSonic monitor; £300 on an MSI laptop; and £185 on a Philips electronic toothbrush.
Despite protestation from Amazon, the ASA found that there was a lack of evidence to support the advertised savings.
Competition and Markets Authority study in to the heat networks market
First published by Author on June 01, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cma
At the end of last year, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a study in to the heat networks market, which is the market that involves the generation and distribution of heat to buildings.
The study was launched to ensure that the market was working for the consumers, and since the launch of their investigations at the end of 2017, a number of action steps have taken place.
These kinds of studies are common for the CMA to engage in as they look at any sector in the UK to make sure there is healthy competition and ensure that the consumer is always being treated fairly. The CMA will usually talk to the businesses involved in the market and obtain data from consumers and public sector sources.
Epilepsy pill price hike of 1,300%
First published by Author on May 25, 2018 in the following categories: Price Hikes and tagged with price fixing
An epilepsy pill price hike of 1,300% has raised eyebrows given that the healthcare authorities have, in reality, had no choice but to accept the massive increase.
The US company at the centre of the price hike, Essential Phrama, claims that the monumental price hike is vital to “ensure the continued supply” of the epilepsy pill, but with such huge costs usually having to be borne on healthcare authorities and patients, questions must be asked.
In the UK, it’s common for such huge price hikes to be investigated by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA); the competition watchdog whose job is to ensure fair competition that’s in the interests of consumers.