‘An Post is curbing competition’: RGDATA tells Competition Authority

RGDATA claims that An Post's recent correspondence 'represents an abuse of dominance' but the company says it is entitled 'to protect and grow [its] revenue'

Retailer group complains to Competition Authority about An Post's instruction to retailers to stop selling competitor products - although An Post denies any attempt to monopolise market

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RGDATA has made a complaint to the Competition Authority regarding a letter by An Post to its retailer network, telling them to stop providing services from other parties which compete with services offered by An Post.

In the letter, An Post said a termination of a retailer’s contract with An Post was a possibility, if they continue to provide these services, including electronic top ups, bill payment services and mail services.

"RGDATA believes that this correspondence and the threat/sanction that it proposes represents an abuse of dominance by An Post and is a clear attempt by An Post to restrict competition, innovation and choice to the detriment of consumers and competitors," said Tara Buckley, director general, RGDATA.

The group added that the letter has caused significant concern among retailers who have a contract with An Post given that some have contracts with other providers who offer services that are not provided by An Post or its subsidiary PostPoint. For example, it is not possible for such retailers to access services to sell Leap Cards, gas cards and ESB top ups.

The Competition Authority has assigned a reference number to the complaint and must now revert to RGDATA with its findings.

However a spokesperson for An Post has said the company is not attempting to monopolise the market.

She told ShelfLife: "Like any business, we will act to protect and grow our revenue and to this end we will correspond with our retailers as and when we see fit. Our retailers are best advised to engage directly with the company on the matter of competitor products – no doubt an active issue for all retailers."

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