Big C Supercentre and Cencarre (the company that runs Carrafour in Thailand) have admitted they charge slotting fees to carry manufacturers’ products.
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According to a report in Krungthep Turakij, a subcommittee investigating alleged unfair trade practices heard testimony from the two companies on Monday. The subcommittee chairman said the committee was not satisfied with the responses given by Big and Carrefour because they had failed to produce sufficient information to answer the questions in detail. They have been ordered to provide further information in written form.
Executives from rival chains Tesco Lotus and Siam Makro came before the subcommittee on 19 June. All four groups have admitted they charge slotting fees, but say the suppliers are happy to pay up. Carrefour and Big C also conceded they charge advertising fees and display fees on occasion. Suppliers have slammed these charges as unfair.
Further testimonies will be heard on 8 July. The subcommittee will then write a report on the matter by the end of July to submit to the Thai competition authorities.
