Press Release: Competition: Commission publishes results of retail food study

The European Commission had unveiled the results of a comprehensive study about the evolution of choice and innovation in food products in Europe during the last decade. The results showed that the entry of new competitors always increased choice and innovation. In many Member States, retail markets were not overly concentrated, and the retailers' bargaining power did not seem to have a negative impact on choice and innovation. Finally, while choice for European citizens had continuously increased in shops since 2004, the number of innovations reaching the consumer each year had decreased since 2008 largely due to the economic crisis. The Commission invited stakeholders to submit their comments on the study results.