Norwegian grocery giants contest 4.9 billion NOK price collusion fines

Major Norwegian grocery retailers Coop, Rema 1000, and Norgesgruppen are appearing in the Gulating Court of Appeal to contest 4.9 billion NOK in fines imposed by the Norwegian Competition Authority (Konkurransetilsynet).

The dispute centers on the use of ‘price hunters’ to monitor competitors. The Competition Authority alleges that the companies engaged in illegal cooperation regarding price collection, which reduced incentives to compete on price. The companies deny the allegations, arguing that their practices were practical arrangements and that the authorities were informed of their methods throughout.

The legal proceedings, expected to last approximately two months, will examine the extent and speed of the information sharing and the validity of the massive fines. While the initial proposed fines in 2020 reached 21 billion NOK, the amount was adjusted to 4.9 billion NOK in 2024 after the most serious allegations were dropped.