(Finance) – The Competition and Market Authority (AGCM) has resolved to extend to 15 July 2022 the term of conclusion of the proceeding against Benetton for possible abuse in two franchise agreements with independent resellers. It can be read in the weekly bulletin of the Antitrust released today, in which it is highlighted that the deadline for the conclusion of the procedure was set for April 29, 2022.
The investigation was opened on November 17, 2020. On that occasion, the Authority had explained that the object of the investigation is the possible discretionary use of certain contractual clauses which would allow Benetton to affect the retailer’s strategic choices, such as the definition of proposals and / or purchase orders, not only in terms of timing, but also of quantities. The Veneto group had made it known that it did not have “doubts regarding its extraneousness to any commercial practice attributable to the abuse of economic dependence as well as to any illegal or incorrect activity in the management of the relationship with its customers / retailers”.
(Photo: © Benetton Group)