Cartel office carries out searches at German retail firms

The search operation instituted today, 14 January, by the German cartel office also extends to Fressnapf. When asked by PET worldwide, the company confirmed this was the case but was not prepared to give details. At Mars, the confectionery division is affected but not the pet food division, according to a company spokesperson. Saturn Petfood, Vitakraft and Royal Canin also dismissed suggestions of involvement, saying that they were not under investigation. The Federal Cartel Office has conducted searches at 15 companies in the supermarket, drugstore and pet food trade as well as carrying out searches of some branded goods manufacturers. Action has been initiated in writing against further retailers. The cartel office has searched offices at the supermarket chains Edeka, Metro, Rewe and Lidl among others. The drugstore chain Rossmann was also affected by the operation.