Competition Authority Published Speeches of Chain Markets

One of the topics we talked about the most in the past It was the Competition Authority’s investigation into chain markets.. The institution, which took action after the statements made by President Erdogan, had fined the biggest chain markets and some suppliers in Turkey with a fine of 2.7 billion TL. Making a statement on the subject last week, Competition Authority Chairman Birol Küle said that the reasoned decision of the decision will be announced this week. had said. Now it has been expected. Competition Authority, 2.7 billion TL announced the reasoned decision of the fine.

When we look at the details of the reasoned decision, it is seen that the chain markets in Turkey directly or indirectly It is stated that they are in communication and act in cooperation with issues such as campaigns, price reductions, hikes and price transition dates. In addition, the details of the cartelization between the companies have been added to the reasoned decision. The Law on the Protection of Competition, which is included in the scope of the investigation, inconsistent which companies are included in this reasoned decision.

Conversations between markets were also shared

The full penalty of the record fine imposed by the Competition Authority on chain markets In its 208-page reasoned decisionIt also includes talks between companies. When we look at these conversations, it is seen that we are in touch with communication tools such as WhatsApp and e-mail and price updates are available. provided that simultaneous is seen.

An example of WhatsApp messages included in the reasoned decision:

In the Whatsapp conversation between the SAVOLA employee (…..) and the MİGROS dry food category manager (…..), registered as “Migros (…..)”, obtained during the on-site inspection at SAVOLA,

On 10.08.2018;

“(…..): (The image of Nevgros aisle where the label price of Yudum Sunflower Oil 5 Lt product is 35.90 TL has been shared.) Migros (…..): Nice bro, if the market goes up, there is no problem:) By the way, shelf prices are as of Tuesday. It will rise Monday. Everyone has to get organized and go to Tuesday (…..): Monday.We are moving to a shelf price of 39.95 TL. We’ll send you an e-mail Monday morning.” On 11.08.2018; “Migros (…..): Ok, we will be past as of Tuesday” On 14.08.2018; “Migros (…..): Shock market prices have not passed (…..): (…) (Referring to the message “Shock market prices have not passed”): There is 1 liter, and it will pass, don’t worry” (…).

In the continuation of the same correspondence, on 28.08.2018; “(…..): (Various label images thought to belong to CARREFOURSA have been shared.) Carrefour We are waiting for you Shock 1 lt. Sip of 10.95TL on the shelf tomorrow. There will be no trouble. I’m asking for your help bro”

On 29.08.2018;

“(…..): communicated (Various label images have been shared in which the part of the product “Yudum Sunflower Oil 1 Lt”, which is understood to belong to ŞOK and the price of the product “Yudum Sunflower Oil 1 Lt” is included as 10.95 TL, is circled in red.) It is called “Shock”.

Here is another conversation:

On 06.04.2020, in the Whatsapp group named “Strategy team”;

“(…..): (…..) Crr price crossover?

(…..): In which product is the transition to brother? 1 liter ml

(…..): 1lt, 5lt, 4lt are not available in the virtual, is it unclear whether the price has passed?

(…..): It was over the price, no problem

(…..): Which?

(…..): It does not exceed 5 lt. kpnuştuk brother is waiting for Migros (…..) Mr. yesterday (…..) he said he will call 53, 4 It pet tin Passed

(…..): 1lt?2lt We talked yesterday (…..) Mr.

(…..): We talked, it’s not certain, we’re not sure if we’ll pass, but we’re not sure how many TL it will be based on the product, let’s determine it clearly and move on, we change the weekly daily price

(…..): 1lt 15.90 2lt 25.90 (…..): We shoot arrows at the customers. I said that’s not what I’m doing then, let’s move on to 1-2 lt. We said there is no bulk, now we will deal with the product, the process will take in vain. If we pass 1-2 lt sunflowers, then omega let’s go to the fryer, it should be more expensive than 1-2 liters of sunflower, otherwise we cannot increase the cost of activity in shock products.

(…..): I think we need to pass. Look at the prices in the incoming application. .. (The CARREFOURSA shelf image, where the label price of Yudum Sunflower Oil 4 Lt product is 35.50 TL, has been shared.) Brother, organize until Wednesday Itf thanks’ (…..)54 Wrote Was this a joke?

(…..): The past has withdrawn, this man takes an idiot oath”.

In the continuation of the conversation, the screenshot of the Whatsapp conversation that the SAVOLA employee (…..) had with the CARREFOURSA employee registered as “(…..) Carrefour” was shared. In the said meeting, on 06.04.2020;

(…..): We even plan to exceed 49,90 TL.

(The CARREFOURSA shelf image, which was sent to the strategy team by (…..) and contains the label price of Yudum Sunflower Oil 4 Lt product as 35.50 TL, was sent, referring to this image):

Brother, what a joke, why did you withdraw the price? We can’t ship 1 unit this month, for your information, you don’t know the market, then you say my margin is low.

(…..) Carrefour: We also increased the prices as you said, we took them back when they did not pass, if you pass, we will pass 38,90 to 37,90 not

(…..): Well, brother, how did it go? 5 thoughts, then you do what you know, thank you”.

In the reasoned decision prepared by the Competition Authority, there are dozens of such WhatsApp and email sharing is located. If you want to read all those interviews one by one, here You can reach the original of the reasoned decision with the link. In parallel with the reasoned decision of the Competition Authority, “How is the Hub-and-Spoke Cartel formed?titled ” YouTube video You can watch it right below.