Biznes Fakty
UOKiK: proceedings regarding suspected price agreement between Electrolux Poland and distributors
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has launched an investigation into potential illegal price fixing involving Electrolux and AEG home appliances. Officials executed searches at the headquarters of Electrolux Poland and at the stores owned by RTV Euro AGD, Media Markt, and Media Expert.
„The allegations pertain to the illegal establishment of prices for Electrolux and AEG items, including vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, irons, coffee makers, and kettles,” the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection elaborated in a statement.
– Following reports of a potential legal breach, I initiated an inquiry, during which – after receiving judicial approval – we carried out searches at the locations of Electrolux Poland and the owners of the stores: RTV Euro AGD, Media Markt, and Media Expert. We are now in the process of analyzing the evidence gathered – stated Tomasz Chróstny, the president of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, as quoted in the press release.
„Possibility of forming an anti-competitive agreement”
„The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection has acquired information suggesting the likelihood of an anti-competitive agreement being established by Electrolux Poland with its product distributors, including major retailers of electronic devices and household goods,” the Office reported.
Due to the suspected actions, consumers may have been denied the chance to purchase these products at reduced prices, both in brick-and-mortar stores and online.
It was clarified that police-assisted searches were executed at the offices of Electrolux Poland, Euro – Net (owner of RTV Euro AGD stores), Media Saturn Holding Polska, Media Saturn Online, and five limited partnerships within the same capital group (owners of Media Markt both online and in physical locations), as well as Terg (Media Expert stores).
However, as noted by UOKiK, „the explanatory proceedings are being conducted in the context of the case, not against specific businesses. If the gathered material substantiates the suspicions, the President of the Office will commence antitrust proceedings and file charges against specific entities.”
Engagement in an agreement that restricts competition can result in a financial penalty of up to 10 percent of the entrepreneur’s turnover. Managers accountable for collusion may face fines of up to PLN 2 million.
Responses from involved entities
The business editorial team at tvn.pl sought comments from the entities involved in the proceedings.
„We are collaborating with the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection to clarify this issue. I want to emphasize that this is an explanatory proceeding and is not directed against specific entrepreneurs,” stated Michał Mystkowski, spokesperson for Media Expert, in response.
„Due to the ongoing investigation, we cannot provide comments on this issue. We assure full cooperation with the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection,” said Dominika Kosman from Electrolux.
„In light of the announcement by the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) on March 31, 2025, regarding the initiation of explanatory proceedings related to a possible anti-competitive agreement, we confirm that a search was conducted at the headquarters of MediaMarkt Polska by UOKiK employees as part of these proceedings. During this operation, we fully cooperated with UOKiK representatives, providing all necessary information and documentation, and they had the opportunity to review our procedures and processes. We stress that the explanatory proceedings are focused on the case, not against specific entrepreneurs, and this is a standard practice aimed at ensuring fair competition in the market. We are confident that the evidence gathered will demonstrate that we have acted in accordance with applicable legal standards and in respect of fair competition rules,” commented Maciej Dolega, Head of PR at Media Saturn Holding Polska.
„We acknowledge that, following the announcement from the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, explanatory proceedings have been initiated, which are being conducted in the context of the case, not against Euro-Net. At this point, no binding decisions have been made, and thus the Company refrains from commenting on the ongoing activities,” the company stated in response.
Additional interventions
As explained by UOKiK, „this is not the first intervention by the President of the UOKiK concerning collusion between manufacturers of RTV or household appliances and large retailers of these products. A recent decision was made regarding the company Jura Poland and the owners of RTV Euro AGD, Media Markt, and Media Expert stores.
For more than 10 years, these entrepreneurs have been unlawfully fixing prices for Jura coffee machines. The President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection imposed fines exceeding PLN 66 million on them. Additionally, the individual responsible for the illegal agreement in Jura Poland received a fine close to PLN 250,000.”>
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