Tag: cma
CMA opens investigations into car rental comparison sites for alleged hidden costs
First published by Admin on December 01, 2017 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cma | comparison sites
The Competition and Market Authority (CMA) has announced they’re opening enforcement cases against two car rental price comparison sites on suspicion that some of their practices may be anti-competitive. The decision follows the recent investigations the CMA has been working on with regards to hidden charges made by five major car rental companies.
Car rental price comparison websites can be very useful for customers to find the cheapest offer for hiring a car according to their specifications. However, this of course only works if the price comparison tool is fair and fully accurate.
read more
Model agencies fined £1.5 million by CMA for breaking competition laws
First published by Admin on November 17, 2017 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cma | price fixing
CMA has released an open letter to the creative industry after certain model agencies were fined £1.5 million for anti-competitive practices
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have concluded their investigations into multiple top-modelling agencies for breaching anti-competition laws.
After issuing fines totalling more than £1.5 million for the five agencies and its trade association, the CMA has produced a report of its decisions and a warning via an open letter to those in the creative sector who participate in illegal price-collusion schemes.
The CMA also intends to continue its crackdown on cartels in U.K. businesses.
read more
CMA market study of digital marketing tools unearths possible anti-competitive behaviour
First published by Admin on November 10, 2017 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cma
Digital comparison tools (DCT) can be very useful and convenient for consumers who want to easily compare the costs of things like insurance, credit cards and travel services, to name a few. For the most part, these services can theoretically increase competition as consumers can directly compare prices for the exact same product.
Whilst these sites are often free for the consumer to use, the companies listed on them usually have to pay for the privilege of their placement. With so many comparison sites out there, some companies may only choose to appear on a specific few sites, or perhaps none at all. On the other hand, some companies might pay more to bump up their ratings or directly put in a sponsored advert.
All of this means that the comparisons are not always clear and can be warped by listed companies’ input, and it is this issue the CMA is looking in to.
read more
Unfair funfairs update: U.K.’s largest fair association, the Showmen’s Guild, propose rule changes to comply with competition law
First published by Admin on November 03, 2017 in the following categories: Latest and tagged with cma
The U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) introduced some rules for the Showmen’s Guild to help tackle prohibited activities and improve competition for travelling fairs.
The Guild is the largest existing association of fairs, consisting of 90% of all funfairs and representing over 5,000 showmen members in the U.K.
However, the Guild enforces rules that can arguably make it difficult for non-guild members to set up their own fairs to compete with Guild members; so much so that it can impede national and EU competition laws.
read more
CMA produces financial analysis working paper in the ongoing investigations into the care home sector
First published by Admin on October 27, 2017 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cma
There are reportedly over 21,000 care homes in the U.K., and most of these are operated privately with over half of all residents receiving funding from local authorities or through the NHS.
Worth around £15.9 billion a year, there is an incredible amount of money going into providing care for the elderly and infirm residents, so it’s certainly an industry to keep an eye on.
The CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) was made aware that certain practises may appear to result in the restriction of competition which is having an adverse effect on the quality of care and value for money in the care home industry. The CMA therefore launched a market study on 2nd December 2016 to analyse the trends in investments, costs and if there is enough money being generated.
read more
CMA finds no grounds for action in preliminary investigations into single-wrapped impulse ice-creams
First published by Admin on October 20, 2017 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cma
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued a ‘no grounds for action’ decision after initial investigations into a reportedly dominant company that supplied individually wrapped impulse ice-creams in the U.K.
Impulse ice-creams refer to individual ice-creams sold to be eaten immediately, rather than taken home.
Less than six months after investigations were first opened on 16th February 2017, the CMA are closing investigations into Unilever plc for suspected abuse of a dominant position.
read more
CMA investigating UK roofing materials sector for alleged anti-competitive arrangements
First published by Admin on October 13, 2017 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cma
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have opened initial investigations into the UK roofing materials sector.
At this point in the very preliminary investigations, no presumption of infringement has been made: “The CMA has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of competition law for it to issue a statement of objection to any of the parties under investigation.”
What the CMA will probably do at this stage is conduct investigations and carry out information gathering; which includes issuing formal or informal information requests where necessary .
read more
CMA releases statement of objections for alleged excessive and unfair pricing for hydrocortisone tablets
First published by Admin on October 06, 2017 in the following categories: Price Hikes and tagged with cma
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) issued a statement of objections on 9th August 2017 against Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited and its subsidiary Accord Healthcare Limited (which acquired Actavis UK) for suspected breaches of U.K and E.U competition laws.
The CMA believes that the two companies are charging excessive and unfair prices for hydrocortisone tablets, therefore breaking competition law and affecting consumers and the relevant market.
Any form of excessive pricing is bad, but when it comes to medication, you can argue it’s worse. Medication is there to help people and save lives!
read more
CMA reaches amicable conclusion over anti-competitive behaviour in auction services industry
First published by Admin on September 29, 2017 in the following categories: Investigations and tagged with cma
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have reached a resolution in their investigations over online auction services for alleged anti-competitive behaviour. ATG Media addressed the CMA’s concerns and will be committing to undertakings to prevent further behaviour that may be construed as anti-competitive in the future.
The CMA commenced investigations on the 22 November 2016 into the supply of live auction platform services available in the U.K. after two complaints were made. Both complaints alleged that ATG Media imposed certain practices that meant their bidders couldn’t use a cheaper competitor’s service.
read more
CMA look to take enforcement action against online gambling companies
First published by Admin on September 22, 2017 in the following categories: Latest and tagged with cma
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced on 23rd June 2017 that they will be taking action against a number of online gambling companies for alleged anti-competitive behaviour.
Online gambling companies are often relying on ‘free bet’ promotions a lot these days. The volume of advertising for ‘free bets’ on TV, Radio and the Web speaks for itself.
It’s obvious that people are being enticed to join up, and the CMA is concerned that companies aren’t explaining what can often be stringent terms and conditions gamblers are then tied to when they sign-up to their services…
read more