The Norwegian Competition Authority has been monitoring the purchasing prices of major grocery chains since 2017, revealing a trend of decreasing price differences among these chains. The latest findings for 2024 indicate that the disparities in purchasing prices have further diminished compared to 2023.

According to the results, Norgesgruppen continues to enjoy lower purchasing prices than its competitors, Coop and Rema. While the differences are not negligible, the overall reduction in price disparities from 2017 to 2024 is significant.

Magnus Friis Reitan, Deputy Director of the Authority's department for food, trade, and health, noted that if the reduction in price differences is due to Coop and Rema receiving lower prices than they would have otherwise, it could lead to lower prices and better offers for consumers.

The 2024 survey also highlights considerable variation in the price differences among suppliers to the chains. Some suppliers show minimal differences, while others exhibit larger discrepancies, with significant fluctuations over time. Such variations may stem from disagreements between the chains and suppliers or differences in the chains' efforts to boost sales of the suppliers' products, including promotional activities and purchasing volumes.

The specific purchasing prices result from negotiations between suppliers and grocery chains, where chains offer various concessions in exchange for lower prices. These concessions can include logistics services, product restocking, marketing, and in-store promotions.

Project leader Gabriel Støyva stated that the differences in the chains' collaboration with suppliers contribute to price disparities, and that the chains themselves can implement measures to achieve lower purchasing prices.

In previous investigations for 2022 and 2023, the Authority indicated that concessions and promotional activities from Rema and Coop were among the reasons for the observed lower price differences compared to the previous year. These factors also contributed to the decline from 2023 to 2024.

The Norwegian Competition Authority does not disclose the magnitude of the purchasing price differences, as this information, combined with previous surveys and other sources, could reveal sensitive business information. This could adversely affect negotiations and increase the risk of suppliers being reluctant to offer discounts.

The monitoring of purchasing price differences is a crucial part of the Authority's work on competition in the grocery market, and it will continue these investigations moving forward.