Industry Minister Cecilie Myrseth (Ap) says she is very concerned about the competitive situation in the grocery market.
– The rising food prices are felt on people’s wallets every day. With market investigation, the supervisory authority gets a powerful tool to contribute to better competition, lower prices and more choice, says Myrseth in a press release.
Today, the Norwegian Competition Authority cannot intervene against competition problems unless there is a breach of the Competition Act.
The proposal, which is now being sent to the Storting, implies, among other things, that the supervisory authority can introduce targeted measures at an earlier time. They call it “market research”.
This means that the Competition Authority, after a thorough investigation, can take measures to strengthen competition if serious competition problems are discovered.
– It is important to prevent competition problems from growing large, and the goal is better competition so that the consumer gets a larger selection at a lower price, says Myrseth.
The Norwegian Competition Authority has been given a new weapon, which can, among other things, improve competition in the grocery market.
Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB
The Norwegian Competition Authority is getting a new weapon to crack down on competition problems and improve competition in, among other things, the grocery industry.
Industry Minister Cecilie Myrseth (Ap) says she is very concerned about the competitive situation in the grocery market.
– The rising food prices are felt on people’s wallets every day. With market investigation, the supervisory authority gets a powerful tool to contribute to better competition, lower prices and more choice, says Myrseth in a press release.
Today, the Norwegian Competition Authority cannot intervene against competition problems unless there is a breach of the Competition Act.
The proposal, which is now being sent to the Storting, implies, among other things, that the supervisory authority can introduce targeted measures at an earlier time. They call it “market research”.
This means that the Competition Authority, after a thorough investigation, can take measures to strengthen competition if serious competition problems are discovered.
– It is important to prevent competition problems from growing large, and the goal is better competition so that the consumer gets a larger selection at a lower price, says Myrseth.
#Norwegian #Competition #Authority #weapon #adressa.no
2024-09-08 00:47:30
Table of Contents
Competition in Norway’s Grocery Market: A Critical Analysis
Norway’s grocery market has been a subject of concern for the country’s authorities, with Industry Minister Cecilie Myrseth (Ap) expressing her worries about the competitive situation in the industry [[1]]. The rising food prices have been felt by consumers, and the government is taking measures to improve competition, lower prices, and increase choice. In this article, we will delve into the current state of competition in Norway’s grocery market, the challenges it faces, and the proposed solutions.
Current State of Competition
Norway’s grocery market is dominated by three main players: NorgesGruppen, Coop, and Rema 1000. NorgesGruppen, in particular, has been found to have a competitive advantage due to its efficient size and scale [[2]]. However, this dominance has raised concerns about the lack of competition, leading to higher prices and reduced choice for consumers.
Competition Issues
The Norwegian Competition Authority has been investigating several cases of anticompetitive behavior in the grocery market. In one instance, the authority reduced the proposed fines against the country’s three largest retailers for a “price hunting” episode [[3]]. Additionally, the authority has warned against the use of a supermarket price adjustment system, which it considers anticompetitive [[4]].
Proposed Solution: Market Investigation
To address the competition issues in the grocery market, the Norwegian government has proposed a new tool for the Competition Authority: market investigation. This will enable the authority to conduct thorough investigations and take targeted measures to strengthen competition if serious competition problems are discovered [[1]]. The goal is to prevent competition problems from growing and to provide consumers with a larger selection at lower prices.
Conclusion
The competitive situation in Norway’s grocery market is a pressing concern, with rising food prices and reduced choice for consumers. The proposed market investigation tool is a step in the right direction, but it is crucial to ensure that the Competition Authority has the necessary resources and powers to effectively address competition issues. By promoting competition, the government aims to create a more dynamic and consumer-friendly market, which will benefit both consumers and businesses alike.
References:
<a href="https://www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/konkurransetilsynet-far-nytt-verktoy/id3052440/?utmsource=www.regjeringen.no&utmmedium=rss&utm_campaign=RSS-2581966-documentTypeaktuelt/nyheter”>[1]
Competition in Norway’s Grocery Market: A Critical Analysis
Norway’s grocery market has been a subject of concern for the country’s authorities, with Industry Minister Cecilie Myrseth (Ap) expressing her worries about the competitive situation in the industry [[1]]. The rising food prices have been felt by consumers, and the government is taking measures to improve competition, lower prices, and increase choice. In this article, we will delve into the current state of competition in Norway’s grocery market, the challenges it faces, and the proposed solutions.
Current State of Competition
Norway’s grocery market is dominated by three main players
