‘New CMA investigation may reveal more price fixing’

The Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) investigation into the light fittings industry is likely to reveal more price fixing in the KBB industry, a solicitor has claimed.

Stephen Sidkin, partner at Fox Williams LLP, said that while the recent announcement may seem ‘opportunistic’ to some as it follows closely on from the investigation into the bathroom supplies sector, he considered it unlikely as “demand for investigation and action invariably outstrips resource supply”.

He suggested that the earlier investigation had likely resulted in, “a light fitting business – possibly a recently terminated distributor – considering that it has little to lose by filing a complaint with the CMA, or a brand deciding to take advantage of the whistleblowing leniency programme operated by the CMA under the Competition Act”.

“Either way, this investigation has further to go and is likely to reveal more price fixing in the kbb industry,” he concluded.

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