Pingo Doce fined for campaign on 1 May 2014 – publico

                 

                         
                     

                         

                 

 
                         

The Food Safety and Economic Authority (ASAE) imposed a fine of 500,000 euros to Pingo Doce for allegedly selling at a loss, decision already contested by the Jerónimo Martins Group company.

                     

                         The economy minister, António Pires de Lisboa said on Wednesday in Parliament that the actions of ASAE changed and the inspection body “became less gala on being strong with the weak” and to be “stronger with the strong.” Then, according to Lusa, he gave the example of a 500,000 euros fine imposed on a large distribution company.

When contacted by PUBLIC, an official source Pingo Doce confirmed the fine. . “The decision surprises us because we are convinced that we observed and comply with the law and act, moreover, with the express agreement of our suppliers, with whom we celebrated agreements to that end,” he said, adding: “impugn court, by So this decision. “

” The transactions in question were allocated to the campaign of the 1st May 2014, that our partners have joined, in view of the purpose of generating a day of strong sales and significant opportunities for our customers, “continued the same source.

In force since the end of February 2014, the law governing Individual Restrictive Trade Practices ( known for PIRC), led ASAE to establish 49 processes and to monitor 188 economic operators during the past year this public body went on to lead the prosecution -. before in the hands of the Competition Authority – and created three specialized brigades in each regional unit .

This law details the concept of selling below cost price, which now covers new types of discount. Price reductions as the card discounts now contribute to the formation of the purchase price, which is essential to detect whether or not selling at a loss. With the law, the fines for this offense increased from a maximum of 30,000 euros (with accumulation of penalties) to 2.5 million euros. The smaller the company to commit the offense, the less you pay:. Micro-businesses incur a maximum fine of 50,000 euros

Remember that the Pingo Doce had been previously fined for sales below cost, following the unexpected campaign on May 1st in 2012. In this process, the Competition Tribunal reduced the offenses from 15 to one and a fine of almost 30,000 euros went for 12,000 euros.