The group was accused by the OFT of price-fixing after they published a leaflet in which selected items were being offered at special rates in all their supermarkets: Tower Supermarket Complex, Shopwise Discount Store, Shoppers Supermarkets, Trolees, Park Towers Supermarket, Lasco and Carters.

“Yes, we admit that there was an agreement to promote these items on offer together, but this is in no way an attempt to fix prices, especially not to the detriment of the consumer. The supermarkets that are taking part of this campaign are independent in all aspects”, Mr Shaw stressed. “They buy from suppliers independently and all have their own campaigns competing among themselves.”

Furthermore, Mr Shaw pointed out that the companies had come up with this idea in reaction to a similar campaign organised by competitors. When they pointed out this fact to the OFT, the reply they received was that the office may be investigating these other cases and that it was up to the office to see to these things.

“We feel that the speed with which the office took action in our case and not in that of others is discriminatory,” said Mr Shaw.

The group’s legal advisor Aaron Mifsud Bonnici refrained from specifying the cases to which they were alluding, saying that the group had no interest in interfering with possible investigations. It seems that the OFT is mostly concerned with the promotion of this offer rather than the offer itself, Dr Mifsud Bonnici explained. In fact, the supermarkets have been asked to notify their clients that the offer is not running any more but they will still offer the products at discounted prices. They will, however, be prohibited from promoting the campaigns.

The group also complained that the office had not advised the group that they were under investigation. Dr Mifsud Bonnici said that the group had been open all the way and had given more information than had been requested by the office. They had even asked for help with the interpretation of the relevant laws, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said, but this was never given.

The press conference was called to publicly deny that the group was engaging in price-fixing, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said, and to announce the action the group will be taking. To this effect, he announced that the group will be appealing against the decision to the Commission for Fair Trading. He said that the group had complained to the Office for Fair Trade in writing and had asked the director of the office to refer the matter to the commission.