The sanction follows an investigation revealing that these entities coordinated their purchasing behaviour by agreeing not to accept new or increased supplier price lists—a practice that undermines independent decision-making and distorts market competition.
This conduct constitutes a “by object” restriction of competition under the Macedonian Law on Protection of Competition, meaning it is inherently harmful and prohibited without requiring proof of actual market effects. The CPC’s decision aligns with established principles of EU competition law, which emphasize that agreements capable of restricting competition are unlawful, regardless of direct impact on consumer prices.
The full overview is provided by Partner Ivana Jevtić Nikolova from the JPM Skopje office.
