On 15 July 2021 the Cartel Court imposed a fine of EUR 340,000 on the company Fond Of GmbH following a request submitted by the Austrian Federal Competition Authority on 6 April 2021 (see also AFCA’s press release).
The company had entered into agreements with retailers on the Austrian market relating to fixed or minimum retail prices for school bags and school backpacks of the “satch” and “ergobag” brands and, in some cases, for accessories to these products as well as for backpacks and accessories of four other brands. The agreements covered the period from 1 January 2012 to 31 January 2019. In addition, retailers had been banned from selling online between January 2012 and August 2016.
Due to the company’s cooperation with the AFCA through the leniency programme, an application was made for a reduced fine.
The decision is final.