LONDON —
Britain\'s three major department stores were accused Friday of colluding with a sports bra maker to price.
The Fair Trade Office, the UK\'s competition regulator, claims these chains
John Lewis, home of Debenham and Fraser
Involved in the price-
In violation of the competition law, cooperate with bra manufacturer DB garment company.
France-based private company DB Apparel has entered into several agreements with the store to set a minimum resale price for its shock-proof brand sports bra between 2008 and 2011F. T. alleged. “The O. F. T.
Accept price charges
\"Take it seriously,\" senior supervisor Ann Pope said in a statement . \".
\"Maintaining resale prices limits competition among retailers and can lead consumers to pay higher prices.
DBA\'s shock absorber sports bra series is one of the top sports bra series, and tennis player Anna kurnikova hit the slogan \"only the ball should rebound\" in the advertising campaign on 2000.
Sales of brands in the UK with a market share of 15% in related yearsF. T. said.
The four companies did not respond to the allegations until November. The O. F. T.
A final decision is expected next year and a fine of 10% of the company\'s global revenue is likely to be imposed.
British underwear market growth 1.
About 5% to 2.
£ 7 billion, or $4.
According to market research firm Mintel, it was 3 billion last year.
Growth continues to be suppressed due to wide low availability and fierce competition
In a report in June, Mintel said \"commodity pricing \".
DB Apparel said it rejected any charges by O. F. T.
\"We have always been transparent to the United States. K.
\"Since the beginning of the process, the authorities will continue to defend themselves vigorously in this investigation,\" the company said . \".
A statement by John Lewis said the company would fully cooperate with the investigation.
Clotilde Gros, spokeswoman for Fraser House of Fraser, said the company is working together and \"believes we have been operating within all laws and regulations.
Debenhams said it rejected O. F. T.
No further comments.
\"The matter is being handled by its external lawyers,\" the company said . \".
DB clothing mainly produces and sells branded underwear in Europe as well as in Russia and Africa.
Other brands include Wonderbra, Fila and Unno.
The department store sells personal clothing.
Care products for the British middle class and some furniture and electronics.
All three companies have opened multi-storey flagship stores on Oxford Street, London\'s main shopping avenue.
Debenhams, originally a small store in London in 1778, now has 240 stores in 28 countries.
It said earlier this weekover-
Annual sales for the 12 months ended August.
Up 2%.
The company will announce more detailed earnings next month.
Its share price fell 1.
4% in London at noon on Friday
House of Fraser has 61 stores in the UK and Ireland with annual sales of 1.
2 billion.
The privately held company reported losses in the 12 months ended January. 26.
John Lewis, mainly owned by employees through a partnership structure, is the smallest department store chain in three stores.
Founded in 1864 by John Spedan Lewis, the company has a relatively upscale grocery chain, Waitrose.
39 John Lewis stores and 297 Waitrose stores have annual sales of more than 9.
5 billion last year.