Bulgaria's competition watchdog expects to rule within about 10 days on one of two cases against big retail chains. The Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) said both cases concern possible unfair practices towards producers and suppliers.
The Administrative Court of Sofia Region has upheld fines totalling nearly €310,000 that the CPC imposed over a product called "Deutsche Markenbutter". It was sold misleadingly as butter but contains more than 95% non-dairy fat. The court said the commission's decision is lawful and the fines fit the seriousness and length of the violations. It is a first-instance ruling.
See also: Court upholds penalties of nearly €310,000 over Deutsche Markenbutter
The CPC opened the two cases against the chains in late May 2026, after a sector analysis and a detailed study of prices in the big chains. Over the past five months it has gathered evidence, which it is now analysing. Both cases are at an advanced stage.
The law allows a fine of up to 10% of total turnover in the previous financial year for each violation. Because the chains' turnover is so large, even a minor violation means a fine of tens of millions of euros. For a serious violation, the fine could top €100m.
Separately, the CPC is carrying out a preliminary inquiry into unfair practices by retail chains, based on alerts from the Consumer Protection Commission. In them, the Consumer Protection Commission points to big differences in mark-ups, meaning the amount a shop adds to the purchase price, on similar products from different suppliers.