Probe: The CMA slammed Morrisons and M&S after discovering a total of 65 agreements which limited competition
Morrisons and M&S have promised to stop using unlawful agreements that prevent rivals from opening nearby shops.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) slammed both firms after discovering a total of 65 agreements which limited competition.
Landowners agreed with the retailers they would restrict their land being used by a rival supermarket – breaching legislation introduced in 2010.
Retailers can make ‘exclusivity’ agreements with landlords that prevent rival stores opening – but only for up to five years.
The CMA said Morrisons broke the rules 55 times between 2011 and 2020. M&S made ten breaches between 2015 and 2019.
Morrisons said it cooperated fully with the probe and planned to rectify the outstanding breaches quickly.
M&S said it was remedying existing breaches and the expired ones ‘have made no practical difference to the activity of our competitors or our tenants and did not adversely affect competition’.
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