The Federal Antimonopoly Service announced the start of anti-cartel inspections of the largest Russian retail chains.

“FAS Russia conducts unscheduled on-site inspections in relation to X5 Group (retail chains Pyaterochka, Perekrestok, Karusel), LLC Lenta and JSC Tander (trading network Magnit) for anticompetitive collusion, the consequence of which may be growth and maintenance of prices, "- explained in the department.

The service clarified that the inspections were started in connection with the citizens' appeals to the FAS about the rise in prices in federal retail chains, as well as with the aim of "preventing an unjustified increase in the cost of socially significant food products."

The department intends to assess the pricing of the largest retail chains and study the reasons for a possible unjustified price increase.

If the Federal Antimonopoly Service detects violations in any of the networks, a case will be initiated on violation of antitrust laws, and companies may face fines of up to 15% of annual revenue.

The department clarified that the turnover of audited organizations at the end of 2020 exceeds 4 trillion rubles. 

"The final conclusions on the presence or absence of violations of the antimonopoly legislation in the actions of the inspected persons will be made by the department based on the results of verification activities, as well as analysis of all information received by FAS Russia," the service concluded.

Later, the press service of the FAS said that the "Magnit" retail chain was hindering the anti-cartel check.

"Security of the business center illegally blocks the passage of FAS employees into the building, claiming that Magnit employees are not at their workplaces in the building," the TASS agency quoted as saying.

Officials of the company, obstructing the work of the FAS, will be brought to administrative responsibility, the service emphasized, explaining that the employees of the department have the right to unhindered access to the premises and to study the documents.

In turn, Magnit claims that the network actively cooperates with representatives of the antimonopoly service.

“The company actively cooperates with representatives of the department and provides all the necessary information,” the press service of the network said.

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  • © Vladimir Astapkovich

Recall that President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly emphasized the inadmissibility of unreasonable price increases for essential goods.

On August 9, during a meeting with members of the government, the head of state instructed the Federal Antimonopoly Service to monitor the pricing of products sold through retail chains.

In addition, as part of the stabilization of food prices, the head of state ordered to increase the import of agricultural products into the Russian Federation from the CIS countries.

The president recommended to the governors, together with the Cabinet of Ministers, to ensure unhindered access of domestic agricultural producers to retail markets, fairs and distribution facilities.

In addition, the President ordered to increase the number of relevant shopping facilities to maximize their accessibility to the population.

On July 21, during a meeting with the Cabinet of Ministers, the Russian leader noted that the issue of rising prices for basic foodstuffs, including vegetables and borscht set, is currently particularly acute, and demanded that the departments and the government take measures.

“Even before the direct line, the President instructed the Russian government to carefully monitor the dynamics of price changes in the retail market in Russia and carefully monitor any specific cases when we are completely unreasonably faced with a sharp rise in prices.

The government continues to do this on a daily basis, ”said Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman on July 16.

Vladimir Putin raised the issue of rising food prices in December 2020 as well.

Then he demanded from the ministers not to tell him fairy tales, but to react promptly to such situations.

He stressed that he was not satisfied with the wording in which the ministers expressed hope for an early stabilization of the situation, and demanded concrete and effective measures from them.

“People are limiting themselves because they have no money for basic food.

Where, where are you looking?

This is the question!

This is no joke!

In conditions when unemployment is growing, incomes are falling, basic products are becoming more expensive by such values ​​- and you are telling me fairy tales here, ”the president said after the report of the head of the department, Maxim Reshetnikov.

Putin demanded that the department stop "experimenting" and take effective measures.