German C&T companies latest hit by anti-competition fines

Published: 11-Jul-2008

The German Federal Cartel Office (BKA) has imposed fines and penalties of around €10m on a number of cosmetics companies for the systematic exchange of information. The cosmetics products were all market selectively through perfumeries in an operation involving a total of nine companies and 13 former or current managing directors. The companies are German subsidiaries of leading groups comprising Chanel, Clarins, Cosmopolitan Cosmetics Prestige (now P&G Prestige Products), Coty Prestige Lancaster, Estée Lauder, L'Oréal, LVMH Parfums & Kosmetik, Shiseido and YSL Beaute.


The German Federal Cartel Office (BKA) has imposed fines and penalties of around €10m on a number of cosmetics companies for the systematic exchange of information. The cosmetics products were all market selectively through perfumeries in an operation involving a total of nine companies and 13 former or current managing directors. The companies are German subsidiaries of leading groups comprising Chanel, Clarins, Cosmopolitan Cosmetics Prestige (now P&G Prestige Products), Coty Prestige Lancaster, Estée Lauder, L'Oréal, LVMH Parfums & Kosmetik, Shiseido and YSL Beaute.

The BKA says that these companies "within a closed circle" exchanged details of internal company data since at least 1995. They reported detailed sales data to the moderator of the circle, described by the BKA as "a former L'Oréal employee", on a quarterly basis as well as exchanging information on new product launches, price increases and promotions along with comments on the perfumeries and other "elements of marketing strategy".

The circle comprised all the key players in the German cosmetics sector. The fines imposed by the BKA, related to the sales volume of the individual companies, are between €250,000 and €2.1m. The companies will be able to appeal against the fines.

See more

You may also like

Colour Cosmetics

Kris Jenner makes MAC Cosmetics debut fronting Studio Fix campaign

Read more
Momager Jenner fronts the make-up giant’s latest campaign and joins a growing list of Gen X celebrities which are being tapped by beauty businesses in 2025

Trending Articles

  1. Seen snaps up former Ulta Beauty boss as Chief Marketing Officer Linh Peters previously served as Head of Loyalty Marketing and Strategy at Ulta Beauty, overseeing the US beauty retailer’s loyalty programme and personalisation engine
  2. L'Oréal, LVMH and Luxottica named preferred buyers of Giorgio Armani empire The late Italian fashion designer has given purchasing priority to L'Oréal, along with LVMH, owned by the world’s richest man, Arnault Bernard, and eyewear brand Luxottica
  3. Glossier names Colin Walsh CEO as it aims to become ‘a true legacy brand’ Walsh, who has previously helmed the beauty divisions of Ouai and Procter & Gamble, will join the beauty company in October
  4. You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
    Click here to find out more.
    Maison Francis Kurkdjian turns heads with new $28,000 bottle of Baccarat Rouge 540 The fragrance giant has shocked consumers with its latest launch. Only 54 bottles of new Baccarat Rouge 540 Édition Millésime will be created each year, housed in a red crystal bottle with a 24-carat gold cap
  5. La Roche-Posay lands Law Roach for punny partnership marking 50th anniversary The L’Oréal-owned skin care brand has brought in the celebrity stylist alongside a cast of experts and creators for its ‘Brand Name’ Campaign in an attempt to connect with younger generations

Upcoming event

13th Annual Beauty Trends & Innovations Conference

24 September 2025 | London, UK See all

You may also like

Colour Cosmetics

Kris Jenner makes MAC Cosmetics debut fronting Studio Fix campaign

Momager Jenner fronts the make-up giant’s latest campaign and joins a growing list of Gen X celebrities which are being tapped by beauty businesses in 2025
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Retail

Meet BeautyShelf: the beauty app making the girls' group chat shoppable

Meet the best friends-turned-co-founders setting out to give the group chat a shoppable glow up that has already partnered with Space NK and Sephora
Finance

Tropic Skincare founder Susie Ma lands £20 million payout after Lord Alan Sugar buyback

The payout came amid a bumper year of trading for the skin care business in 2024, as revenues and pre-tax profits both saw significant gains
Retail

Sephora to launch ‘shoppable storefronts’ where influencers can curate beauty product buys

Content creators will be able to monetise their recommendations of Sephora beauty brands from next month
Finance

Natura & Co inks deal to sell Avon business in Central America

Brazilian beauty conglomerate Natura & Co has agreed to offload its Avon business in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic to Grupo PDC
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Ingredients

What is fenugreek?

Vincent Miralles discusses fenugreek’s potential in sustainable polymers for next-generation hair care
Finance

Kolmar Korea launches full operation of 2nd US factory, establishing K-beauty’s ‘tariff safe zone’ in America

New 17,805㎡ facility completed in Pennsylvania with an annual production capacity of 300 million units
Subscribe now