GVH measure: More than a hundred small producers and new jobs at SPAR

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 02. 19. 11:12

The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has helped more than a hundred small-scale domestic producers to sell in SPAR Hungary stores, and has created many new jobs. Although the GVH has achieved its goal, SPAR has not fully complied with certain of its certification obligations, which has led to a fine being imposed on the company.

The GVH investigation revealed that SPAR abused its significant market power by unilaterally and unjustifiably demanding different fees from suppliers to get their products on the shelves. The competition authority ordered a package of measures worth 1.7 billion forints, which allowed SPAR to avoid the fine.

As part of the measures, SPAR agreed to establish six regional supplier centers and eventually opened a seventh in addition to the required ones. The new centers were established in the following cities:

Győr
Hódmezővásárhely
Nyíregyháza
Pécs
Székesfehérvár
Zalaegerszeg
+1 additional center

SPAR has committed to providing new micro, small and medium-sized suppliers with opportunities in 90% of the regional system, and to supporting producers with quality audits, logistics and warehousing assistance, and marketing support.

The GVH’s follow-up investigation found that SPAR had exceeded its obligations: it exceeded the mandatory investment budget of 1.7 billion forints and created 23 new jobs.