Former minister warns a lost case could weaken Norway's competition watchdog
Former industry minister Torbjørn Røe Isaksen cautions that a defeat for the grocery chains could make the Competition Authority overly timid in the future.
NorgesGruppen, Coop and Rema 1000 are suing the Competition Authority after being fined for an unlawful price-monitoring scheme. Torbjørn Røe Isaksen, former minister of trade and current political editor at E24, warns that a court defeat could lead the authority to adopt an excessively cautious stance. He argues that a vigorous competition regulator is essential for protecting market dynamics.
The dispute traces back to a 2018 unannounced inspection and subsequent penalties, with the appeal now before the Gulating lagmannsrett. Røe Isaksen notes that the litigation could continue to the Supreme Court and that the outcome will shape future enforcement. He also reflects on broader challenges in improving competition in Norway’s grocery sector.
Why it matters
The case could reshape how aggressively Norway enforces competition rules in a key market.
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