Tag: pricing
Huge funeral costs investigation development
First published by Author on November 29, 2018 in the following categories: Industry Investigations Latest Pricing and tagged with cma | competition law | funerals market | market abuse | pricing
There’s been a huge development in the regulator’s funeral costs investigation that we’ve been tracking for a long time now.
The Regulators, the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority), are set to move from a market study to a referral for a market investigation. Their interim report states that there are “reasonable grounds for suspecting that a feature or combination of features of a market or markets in the UK prevents, restricts or distorts competition”.
The CMA now want to look into any adverse impact on the consumer. For a huge and sensitive market that’s worth something like £2bn a year, this is big news.
Most favoured nation clause competition law investigation
First published by Author on November 09, 2018 in the following categories: Investigations Market Dominance Abuse and tagged with cma | market abuse | pricing
There’s been an update in an ongoing most favoured nation clause competition law investigation being conducted by the CMA.
The CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) has an open investigation looking into whether there’s been a breach of competition law. This case surrounds the use of a ‘most favoured nation clause’ used by a price comparison website in the home insurance market.
The companies being investigated for alleged breaches of competition law include BGL (Holdings) Limited; BGL Group Limited; BISL Limited (BISL); and Compare The Market Limited.
Royal Mail competition fine
First published by Author on October 05, 2018 in the following categories: Market Dominance Abuse Pricing and tagged with competition law | market abuse | pricing
A Royal Mail competition fine has been issued in the sum of £50m by the UK communications regulator for abuse of a dominant market position.
Regulators Ofcom accused the Royal Mail of penalising wholesale customers over bulk mail deliveries for things like council tax demands and bank statements. They were fined for discriminating against a rival, Whistl, who were subject to contractual changes back in 2014.
These changes included price increases that led to Whistl scrapping expansion plans that cost the business millions of pounds.
Design, construction and fit-out competition case to continue
First published by Author on September 07, 2018 in the following categories: Industry Investigations Latest and tagged with competition law | construction industry | pricing
Watchdog investigations into the design, construction and fit-out competition issues is set to go on, according to a recent update published by the CMA.
The CMA – the Competition and Markets Authority – have been investigating the industry since July 2017 on the basis of suspected anti-competitive agreements that may be having an adverse effect on the market, and therefore the consumer.
A year on from the CMA’s investigations commencing, the CMA has taken the decision to extend the investigation with the view to publish a further update toward the end of the year.
CMA consider appeal in phenytoin competition case
First published by Author on August 17, 2018 in the following categories: Market Sharing Price Fixing Price Hikes Pricing and tagged with cma | competition law | market abuse | price fixing | pricing
The CMA is considering an appeal in the phenytoin competition case after a Tribunal found that the CMA ruling of market abuse is incorrect.
The phenytoin competition case is one of the most pivotal cases of our time in terms of the cost of drugs to the NHS. A number of investigations and findings have been made against pharmaceutical giants for overcharging the NHS, putting huge strains on public finances, and the CMA’s intervention is vital for the survival of our public health service.
The Tribunal decision in the phenytoin competition case is a setback that the CMA is now considering an appeal for.
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?
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.
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.