Consumer and Retail in the News – Issue 356

COVID-19 and the relaxation of competition law in the food and drink industry

In times of crisis, affected sectors usually ask Governments to suspend competition law. For example, in the UK in 2019, the British food and drink industry asked the UK Government to suspend competition law in the event of a no-deal Brexit so that if there were food shortages companies could work together to direct food supplies to areas of greater need.

Competition authorities are, however, typically very wary of allowing any relaxation of competition rules given the danger associated with opening a floodgate of requests in the event of granting any type of exemption.

Read more here.

This week's top stories in the Consumer and Retail sector:

Free Eco-friendly shoes for NHS front line staff
(Retail Gazette)

Virus power – the newest form of battery?
(Wired)

Consumer services that rely on internet infrastructure being tested over Corona
(Business Insider)

Web browser becomes first to block third party cookies by default
(Engadget)

Going for a (virtual) pint: BrewDog takes its bars online
(Beverage Daily)

FitBit premium trial extended to 90 days in a bid to help encourage fitness during Corona crisis
(T3)

Surge in recent transactions for DIY, gardening and pet shops
(Retail Times)

Just over half of independent businesses in the UK make it to the five year mark
(Retail Times)

Boost in book sales as self-isolating readers buy 'bucket list' novels
(The Guardian)

UK Shoppers spent an additional £467m in groceries
(Retail Times)

Contactless spending limit increased to £45
(Tech Radar)

Prada the latest big name to make medical face masks
(The Guardian)