The Competition Bureau, Canada’s independent law enforcement agency designed to protect and promote competition for the benefit of consumers and businesses, is seeking market participants for input about the use of property controls in the Canadian grocery industry.
“The Bureau is examining whether property controls imposed by grocery retailers are harming competition,” said the agency in a press statement. “Property controls may shield grocery stores from competition by preventing businesses from opening a retail food store or by limiting the products competitors can sell. As a result, consumers may be denied the benefits of competition, including lower prices, better quality and more choice.”
The agency added it was seeking information on whether property controls have prevented domestic or international grocers or food retailers from opening a store in Canada. It is also seeking instances where property controls have restricted the operations of a food retailer – such as limiting the sale of specific food products. It also is looking for information on how property controls can positively or negatively impact food retailers, landowners and/or landlords.
Participants in the Canadian food retail and real estate sectors can email their input to [email protected].
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