Homeware manufacturer participated in a cartel

Hübsch has, among other things, agreed on price increases to the detriment of the company's customers.

Price is a significant competitive parameter, and independent companies must therefore set their own prices. In this case, Hübsch, among other things, agreed on a freight surcharge, which was to be paid by customers. It was a so-called Covid-19 fee, which was coordinated in 2021 in connection with the pandemic.

The undertaking Hübsch, which produces kitchen accessories, tableware, furniture, and other home accessories, has coordinated prices and exchanged price information with a competing undertaking. The coordination led to the introduction of a Covid-19 fee, which was imposed on all orders, as well as price increases on most of Hübsch' products.

On that basis, the Danish Competition Council has decided that Hübsch has infringed the competition rules. The coordination took place from January 2021 to at least July 2021 in connection with the launch of the undertaking's spring/summer collections and again in connection with the launch of their autumn/winter collections for 2021.

The competitor with whom Hübsch coordinated prices and exchanged price information was the company Broste Copenhagen, which in April 2023 agreed to pay a fine of six million kroner for its participation in the infringement.

The Danish Competition Council has decided that the case concerning Hübsch shall be brought before the Danish Maritime and Commercial High Court with a claim that Hübsch should be fined.

Read the decision (in Danish).

For further information

Contact the Head of Communications at the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority, Hanne Arentoft, on +45 41 71 50 98.