Business Forum • 28 October, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Romania's Competition Council has conducted unannounced inspections at the headquarters of six major retail chains operating in the country's food product market, with a specific focus on the dairy segment.
The inspected retailers, which predominantly sell everyday consumer goods through various store formats, include Metro Cash & Carry Romania and Selgros Cash & Carry (cash & carry); Auchan Romania, Carrefour Romania, and Kaufland Romania (hypermarkets); and Mega Image (supermarket).
Preliminary findings vary across retailers but relate to potential practices such as disregarding payment deadlines for perishable goods, imposing shorter termination or delisting periods than legally established, and the cumulative application of rebates and volume discounts that may exceed the 20% legal cap.
Other concerns include delayed product receipt, imposing listing fees on suppliers, and using the threat of delisting to pressure suppliers into accepting unfavourable contract clauses.
The unannounced inspections were authorised by the Bucharest Court of Appeal.
If a breach of the legislation is found, the involved companies risk a fine of up to RON 600,000 (€120,600) or 1% of their turnover.