Casino and Intermarché fined 4 million euros for “practices restricting competition”

It had been seized by the Minister of the Economy. The Paris Court of Appeal sentenced, on Wednesday March 15, Intermarché and Casino to fines totaling 4 million euros “for practices that restrict competition”. According to the court, the two brands had demanded in 2015 from certain suppliers “additional investments without effective consideration and under the threat of reprisals”, says a press release from the court. This situation created “a significant imbalance in the rights and obligations of the parties”she said.

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. In a second judgment, the companies Achats Produits Casino and Intermarché Casino Achats were fined an additional 2 million euros.

Monoprix also condemned

Monoprix, “[co-autrice] of an attempt concerning a supplier”, was ordered to pay this second fine jointly and severally in the amount of 500,000 euros. “We do not comment on a court decision”responded a Casino spokesperson, saying “wait for further processing”.

The court specified that to determine the amount of the fines, it relied on “market share” distributors, “the duration of the disputed practices, the amount of the financial benefits sought” or “the impact of the bid attempt on commercial relations with their suppliers”.