Lanzarote supermarkets accused of price-fixing

The Lanzarote consumers’ association, ACULANZA, has accused island supermarkets of price-fixing in the run-up to Christmas.

The association compared four basic products in four supermarket chains and discovered that cartons of milk, olive oil and one dozen eggs were the same price or differed by only one or two cents. Bananas were also similarly-priced in three supermarkets, and 10 cents cheaper in just one.

ACULANZA claims this is evidence of price-fixing and claims the supermarkets are breaking Spain’s Competition Law, which prohibits competitors from colluding on prices.

“Each food establishment is setting prices in a non-independent manner from its competitors, without being investigated, let alone sanctioned,” claim the association. “This also implies an increase in abusive speculation by food distribution companies to the detriment of families”.