The German Competition Authority finds in a preliminary assessment that requests for special rebates from a furniture retailer to its suppliers could have been abusive (XXXLutz)

According to a press release and case report of 27 February 2020, the German Federal Cartel Office (“FCO”) found in a preliminary assessment that requests for special rebates of furniture retailer XXXLutz could have been abusive. After the retailer changed its conduct, the FCO decided not to examine the case any further. For its 75th anniversary, XXXLutz had requested a 7.5% “anniversary rebate” from its suppliers, mostly small and medium-sized furniture manufacturers. The discount was to be applicable for six months. In exchange, XXXLutz