New EU competition law guidelines recognise major benefits of buying alliances across the supply chain

Independent Retail Europe welcomes the new European Commission Horizontal Guidelines (HGL), which explicitly recognise the benefits that buying alliances and groups of independent retailers brings to society. This is great news for consumers and SME retailers, as joint purchasing is critical to preserve SME retailers’ ability to stand competitive pressure from large international retail chains, therewith sustaining their important role for local communities. Buying alliances also help to counter unfounded price increases requested by large international suppliers, in a context where commodity prices have started to decrease.