Antitrust: launches investigation on food prices

(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 07 - The Antitrust Authority has launched a preliminary investigation by sending requests for information to large retailers to acquire data on the trend in retail prices and prices for the wholesale purchase of essential food items, detergents, disinfectants and gloves, "in order to identify any phenomena of exploitation of the health emergency based on the increase in these prices". The increases are found in areas not affected by "red zones" or by reinforced measures to contain mobility, the Authority explains, not excluding "speculative phenomena".
    The requests for information, explains the Antitrust Authority, concern more than 3,800 points of sale, mainly in central and central Italy, equal to approximately 85% of the total surveyed by Nielsennelle in the provinces concerned.
    Specifically, from the preliminary analyzes carried out by the Authority on Istat data, in March 2020, for food products, price increases compared to those in the previous months differentiated at the provincial level. The greatest increases are found in areas not affected by "red zones" or by enhanced measures of containment of mobility. (HANDLE).