Competition Bureau launches probe into grocery minimum advertised pricing rules
Canada's Competition Bureau has opened an investigation into minimum advertised pricing policies used by grocery suppliers, questioning whether they limit consumer deals and price competition.
The Competition Bureau announced a formal investigation into the use of minimum advertised pricing (MAP) policies within Canada’s grocery sector. MAP rules set a floor for advertised prices, even though retailers may still sell below that level, and are often justified by suppliers to protect brand image or encourage service quality. Officials, led by interim competition commissioner Jeanne Pratt, warned that such policies could make it harder for Canadians to find the best deals, reduce price competition, and favor larger grocers.
The bureau is soliciting one outlet from industry participants and shoppers to determine the impact on pricing and consumer choice. This probe follows a wider competition review launched in June that examines production, processing, transportation, distribution and pricing across the food supply chain.
Why it matters
The investigation could affect grocery pricing and consumer savings across Canada.
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