NorgesGruppen Fined By State Competition Authority

NorgesGruppen, Norway's largest supermarket chain, is considering a legal appeal after it was hit wi…

NorgesGruppen, Norway's largest supermarket chain, is considering a legal appeal after it was hit with a fine for allegedly violating the country's competition laws.

The state's competition authority claims that NorgesGruppen violated regulations when it began to operate 22 of 24 newly purchased ICA Maxi stores in April 2012, without having received approval from the regulatory body.

The competition authority, or as its known in Norway, Konkurransetilsynet, issued NorgesGruppen with a fine of NOK 25 million (€3.2 million).

Magnus Gabrielsen of the competition authority told newspaper Aftenposten on Friday that the intention of the law is for the state to evaluate such transactions before they are put into practice, “so that we can halt activity that hinders competition. It’s important that these rules are upheld.”

NorgesGruppen owns several other grocery chains in Norway including Kiwi, Spar, Centra, Joker and Meny. Earlier this month, NorgesGruppen had their purchase of another retail chain, ICA Norge, over-ruled; a decision which is also being appealed.