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Photo: SCOTT OLSON/ AFP
In the dispute between the beverage manufacturer Coca-Cola and the food retailer Edeka over purchase prices, the Hamburg Regional Court has prohibited a delivery stop by Coca-Cola.
The company had increased its retail prices last week – and Edeka had rejected them.
As a result, the beverage manufacturer stopped supplying Germany's largest grocer.
Edeka had made it credible that a price increase demanded by Coca-Cola was probably inappropriate, the Hamburg Regional Court said.
By setting the price and enforcing it with the help of a delivery stop, the respondent is abusing a dominant position in the market.
This is anti-trust behavior.
Edeka sees “a positive signal”
Coca-Cola must therefore refrain from no longer supplying Edeka under the last agreed conditions until a final agreement has been concluded.
The court limited the injunction issued on Thursday to September 30.
According to Edeka, the previously valid contract with Coca-Cola was signed in January 2022.
The “Handelsblatt” had previously reported on the decision.
"This decision is a positive signal for consumers in Germany," said Edeka.
Edeka demanded that unavoidable price increases should not only be imposed on consumers, but should be distributed along the entire value chain.
As dpa reported, Coca-Cola Germany said on request that the court made the decision without a hearing, "so that our arguments could not be incorporated".
Accordingly, an objection has been filed.
The company stressed that the early-announced price increase is well below current food inflation and also below the pricing trends of many private label brands.
Both companies signaled their willingness to talk: "Of course, we continue to strive to reach an agreement in the interests of our customers," said Edeka.
"We hope that the talks will progress quickly and constructively and that Edeka will be willing to negotiate," said Coca-Cola.
(Az. 415 HKO 72/22)
ani/dpa
