Swiss Competitors Fee investigates Beiersdorf over Nivea pricing

Are Swiss customers paying an excessive amount of for Nivea merchandise? That’s the query being raised by the Swiss Competitors Fee (Comco).

The Swiss authority chargeable for monitoring anti-competitive practices has launched an investigation in opposition to German cosmetics large Beiersdorf in a dispute with the Migros grocery store chain over the costs at which Nivea merchandise are offered.

The investigation seeks to find out whether or not “Beiersdorf holds a place of relative market energy over Migros” and “is abusing that place” by demanding “greater costs” than these charged to comparable retailers overseas, in response to a press release from Comco.

Comco took up the case following a grievance filed by Switzerland’s largest retailer, the German group informed AFP.

Migros alleges that Beiersdorf expenses greater costs for Nivea merchandise in Switzerland than it does to comparable retailers in different nations.

“Beiersdorf doesn’t perceive these accusations and can totally help Comco with the intention to assist make clear the scenario,” the corporate mentioned in a press release.

“The topic of the grievance is an alleged discrimination in opposition to Migros in reference to a presumed relative market energy,” added the group, which produces pores and skin lotions, deodorants, bathe gels, and shampoos.

Nonetheless, “compliance with authorized laws” is “an absolute precedence for Beiersdorf,” emphasised the Swiss department of the German group.

In 2022, Switzerland tightened its competitors guidelines by introducing the idea of relative market energy into legislation.

This idea applies in circumstances the place an organization depends on one other and lacks cheap options for procurement. Whereas not unlawful in itself, the legislation prohibits exploiting this relative market energy to impose abusive situations, Comco had defined on the time.