Denmark: Clothing retailer pays a fine of DKK 3,700,000 (€ 497,560) for exchanging information about prices with a competitor

Axel Kaufmann ApS has agreed to pay the fine for having exchanged information with a competitor in the period from November 2014 to December 2017. The exchanged information regarded for instance the undertaking’s contemplated selling prices and discounts in relation to sales and campaigns. The information regarded amongst others shops in the shopping centers “Frederiksberg Centret” and “Lyngby Storcenter”.

The size of the fine takes into account the gravity and duration of the infringement as well as the company's turnover.

In the fall of 2018, the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority conducted a number of unannounced inspections in the Danish clothing business. The findings indicated that Kaufmann had infringed Section 6 in the Danish Competition Act. The case was referred to the State Prosecutor for Serious Economic and International Crime who investigated the case and initiated criminal proceedings.