The Danish competition authority has revealed that two kiosks at Himmelbjerget have been operating under an illegal market-sharing agreement for over 25 years. This arrangement allowed one kiosk to sell food and drinks while the other exclusively sold souvenirs, effectively eliminating competition between them.

Stefan Kobbernagel, head of the Competition and Consumer Authority, emphasized the seriousness of the violation, stating that the evidence is clear and the impact on consumers has been significant, leading to higher prices and reduced choices.

One of the kiosks, Bjergkiosken, owned by Hotel Himmelbjerget, voluntarily reported the cartel to the authorities, which Kobbernagel praised as the right course of action to dissolve the cartel and protect consumers from its adverse effects.

As a result of the investigation, Hotel Himmelbjerget has acknowledged its role in the violation and will pay a fine of 250,000 Danish kroner. Meanwhile, the other kiosk, Ugleboden, owned by the Committee for the Preservation of Monuments at Himmelbjerget, has received immunity from fines under leniency provisions of competition law.