Price agreements in Belgian drugstores? Raid at Kruidvat

The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has conducted searches at Kruidvat, among other retailers. The competition watchdog suspects prohibited price agreements between several retailers and suppliers of personal care products.

Start of investigation

“The Authority has information indicating possible violations,” said the Belgian watchdog in an official statement. The raids are part of a broader investigation into the personal care sector: the searches all took place at companies active in the drugstore, perfume, and hygiene sectors.

As a market leader with more than 300 stores in Belgium, Kruidvat is also included in the investigation. “We confirm that a search has been conducted at our premises,” said a spokesperson for Kruidvat to Belga, but they cannot provide further details. The BCA does not name the companies under investigation.

The house searches are, according to the BCA, merely a first step in the investigation. Investigators can review documents, search digital data, and analyze communication between companies. If it turns out that the companies have indeed engaged in cartel formation, severe sanctions may follow, but a ruling is likely to take months or even years.