The New Zealand Competition Authority declines clearance for agreements between a gym-owner and their franchisees which would have permitted the setting of price ceilings and floors (Anytime NZ)

Commission declines clearance for Anytime NZ Limited’s collaborative activity clearance application* The Commerce Commission has declined to give clearance to Anytime NZ Limited (Anytime NZ) to enter into proposed agreements with its franchisees that would have contained or may have contained cartel provisions. The proposed agreements would have allowed Anytime NZ to impose lower and upper limits on Anytime Fitness franchisees’ membership pricing. Anytime NZ is the New Zealand master franchisee for the global gym network known as Anytime Fitness. Anytime NZ is also the owner and operator of four New Zealand Anytime Fitness clubs. The Commission can give collaborative activity clearance to a proposed agreement containing a cartel provision if it is satisfied that: the applicant and