A few weeks ago, the Antitrust Authority opened an investigation into café chains on suspicion of price fixing. As part of the investigation, it has questioned under caution the owner of Café Café, Ronen Nimni. Source say that executives of other café chains have also been questioned under caution.
At the same time, the Antitrust Authority's Investigations and Intelligence Department raided the offices of some café chains, carried out searches at the companies' offices and in computers, and collected material.
The investigation was opened following reports that, after the launch of the Cofix café chain, which sells coffee for NIS 5 per cup, café chains' executives discussed policy measures to take. In these conversations, some of the parties said that they would not lower prices following Cofix's launch.
Café Café said in response, "The chain has nothing, and has had nothing, to hide. It has cooperated and is cooperating with everyone who contacts, or will contact us."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 5, 2013
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