Putting a stop to common catalogue prices

The office supplies chain, RKV, has undertaken to stop having common catalogue prices for office requisites. This commitment resulted from a review conducted by the Swedish Competition Authority.

The office supplies chain RKV (Rationella Kontors Varuinköp) comprises 18 independent firms with 60 shops in total. The chain is one of the largest for office supplies in Sweden. RKV has now undertaken to no longer state prices in the catalogues where member companies market their products. For this reason, the Swedish Competition Authority considers that there is no longer any reason to intervene under the Competition Act.

If competing businesses set common prices, this may adversely affect consumers and negatively affect competition, which could result in higher prices and inefficiency.

“I am pleased that the RKV chain has now undertaken to stop listing prices in its catalogues. This promotes competition between companies within the chain, which will benefit the consumer,” comments Dan Sjöblom, Director-General of the Swedish Competition Authority.

This voluntary commitment means that future catalogues will not include prices that have been produced or processed within the framework of the RKV chain. Each member company will be able to set its own prices independently.

The decision of the Swedish Competition Authority means that RKV is bound by its commitment, subject to the imposition of a fine of SEK 1 million in the event of default.

For additional information, please contact:
Jimmy Dominius, Press Officer, tel. +46 (0)8 700 15 80 or
+46 (0)76-542 15 80
Cecilia Widhagen, Senior Adviser, Competition Law, tel. +46 (0)8 700 15 20