Poland’s competition authority conducts raids at Allegro headquarters and Warsaw offices amid investigation into suspected anti-competitive practices.
Changes in the Parcel Selection System
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) explained that when using the Allegro platform and ordering products, the parcel pickup location selection appeared automatically with each purchase, remembering previous preferences. The Office pointed out that at a certain point a change occurred – a different pickup point appeared by default, and the previous one was difficult to find.
Investigation into Alleged Favoritism
President of UOKiK is conducting explanatory proceedings regarding possible favoritism on the e-commerce platform allegro.pl of its own Allegro logistics services, including deliveries to Allegro One Box parcel machines and services of entrepreneurs belonging to the Allegro Delivery program. According to the Office, the suspected actions may simultaneously put courier companies that do not belong to this program in a worse position.
Serious Suspicions and Court Approval
“The suspicions of violating competition rules were so serious that we went to court and obtained permission to raid the Allegro headquarters in Poznań and offices in Warsaw. We have collected extensive and valuable material, which is currently being analyzed in detail” – conveyed President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny.
Dominant Position Regulations
It was explained that an entrepreneur who holds a dominant position in a given market cannot take actions that could harm its competitors, counterparties or consumers. “We may be dealing with such a situation in the case of Allegro” – it was indicated.
Potential Record Financial Penalty
The explanatory proceedings are conducted in the case, not against specific entrepreneurs. If the collected material confirms the suspicions, the President of the Office will initiate antitrust proceedings and bring charges against specific entities. For participating in an agreement restricting competition, a financial penalty of up to 10 percent of the entrepreneur’s turnover is provided.
