Request for improvement to headquarters at compulsory public convenience store survey Mandatory purchase, etc.

Request for improvement to the head office at a public-convenience store survey Mandatory purchase, etc. September 2:15:42

When the Fair Trade Commission examined the actual situation of transactions between headquarters and member stores at convenience stores nationwide, it became clear that more than half of the member stores were forced to purchase products from the headquarters. It was.

As these acts could violate the Antimonopoly Act, we asked each company to voluntarily inspect and improve them, and requested that they report this by the end of November.

The Fair Trade Commission is wondering if the owner of the convenience store is being unfairly treated by the headquarters due to the widespread movement to review the convenience store's 24-hour business due to lack of manpower. , Conducted surveys and interviews with 8 convenience store chains nationwide and their affiliated stores.

As a result, 51.1% of the owners of the participating stores responded that they were strongly recommended by the headquarters and that they purchased the product against their will.

In addition, 47.5% of the owners answered that they had been forced to purchase more products than necessary, and it became clear that the headquarters were purchasing products in a forced manner.

The Japan Fair Trade Commission has urged convenience store companies to voluntarily inspect and improve this activity, saying that such acts could be a violation of the Antimonopoly Act, and requested that they be reported by the end of November.

Fair Trade Commission, the results in light, we want to amend the guidelines for merchant business with headquarters in prospect next year spring.

Secretary-General of the Public-Purchase Secretariat “Strongly Expecting Improvements in the Transaction Environment”

According to Shuichi Sugaku, Secretary-General of the Fair Trade Commission, in a press conference on the 2nd, "It does not mean that the business model of the convenience store itself is a problem, but the headquarters and the member stores are relatively likely to have a superior and inferior relationship." He pointed out, "I strongly hope that the headquarters will improve the trading environment at convenience stores by conducting a self-inspection, but if there is an act that violates the Antimonopoly Act, I will strictly deal with it." It was.