The Commission for the Protection of Competition (CPC) has opened formal proceedings against Kaufland Bulgaria EOOD & CO and Maxima Bulgaria EOOD, the operator of T-Market stores, over suspected unfair trading practices in their relations with suppliers and producers, according to an official statement from the regulator.
The move follows a broader sector-wide review of the essential food retail market, which has been underway for some time and is based on detailed analysis of pricing structures, discount mechanisms, retail markups, and contractual arrangements between large chains and their suppliers.
Preliminary findings from the CPC, presented in December last year, pointed to significant structural distortions in the food supply chain. The regulator noted indications that some commercial practices between large retailers and producers may place local manufacturers in a position where they are forced to sell goods at or below production cost due to the scale of discounts and contractual obligations.
According to the Commission, this prompted a deeper examination of how major retail chains structure their pricing policies and negotiate conditions with suppliers, particularly in key food categories such as dairy products, meat, oil, and eggs.
