The Paris Court of Appeal announced that it had condemned Intermarché and Casino on Wednesday to fines totaling 4 million euros "
for practices restricting competition
".
According to the court, the two brands had demanded from certain suppliers "
additional investments without effective consideration and under the threat of reprisals
", the facts dating back to 2015.
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This situation has created “
a significant imbalance in the rights and obligations of the parties
”, estimated the court, which indicates, in its press release, to have been seized by the Minister of the Economy.
In detail, the companies Intermarché Casino Achats, Achats Marchandises Casino and ITM Alimentaire International were sentenced, in a first judgment, to a civil fine of 2 million euros.
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500,000 euros fine for Monoprix
In a second judgment, the companies Achats Produits Casino and Intermarché Casino Achats were fined an additional 2 million euros.
Monoprix was ordered to jointly pay this last fine of 500,000 euros.
“
We do not comment on a court decision
”, reacted a Casino spokesperson, saying “
wait for the rest of the procedure
”.
The court specified that to determine the amount of the fines, it relied on
the "market share
" of the distributors, "
the duration of the disputed practices, the amount of the financial benefits sought
" or even "
the impact of the attempted submission on commercial relations with their suppliers
”.
