Symposium - Evolving competition dynamics: The interface between competition policy, brands and retailers
Notes & Changes
Please register to indicate your interest in attending. Please note that registration is required whether you wish to attend in person or online. Places are limited and attendance in person will be confirmed subject to availability.
This year’s Symposium, held in person though with an online option, will continue its traditional focus on fast moving consumer goods markets. The programme covers horizontal and vertical agreements, information exchange in double-agent relationships, consumer manipulation and ecosystem competition.
Discussions will cover the effects of retail buying alliances on competitive markets and the potential impact of new guidance relating to sustainability agreements, as well as the challenges of ensuring fair competition in markets where suppliers and retailers compete directly.
The Symposium will also explore the risks associated with information exchange in double-agent relationships, how this is best addressed in competition policy and whether clearer guidelines are needed to promote innovation and effective competition.
Consumer manipulation, both online and offline, will be another key area of focus, with panellists discussing the impact of a range of marketing techniques on consumer behaviour and the need for effective regulation and enforcement to protect consumers.
Finally, the conference will address ecosystem competition and the investigations into Amazon's market power in the EU, UK, and US. Discussions will also cover differing approaches to defining and regulating digital markets comprising large firms.
As in past years, the Symposium offers an opportunity for lively and informed debate on the complexity and challenges of modern markets and new competition dynamics. We look forward to exploring means to safeguard the interests of consumers, while promoting fair and open markets, and identifying opportunities for innovation and growth.
PROGRAMME
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09.00 |
COFFEE AND REGISTRATION |
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09.30 |
Introduction Professor Ariel Ezrachi |
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Keynote presentation |
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09.40 |
Evolving competition policy and the potential impact on FMCG markets Sir Philip Lowe, Oxera |
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Regulating horizontal agreements |
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10.10 |
Panel discussion: Implications of the new EU and UK regulations and guidance Chairman: Professor Simon Holmes, Oxford University Panellists: (1) DG Competition – Sophie Moonen (2) AIM – Laurent Cenatiempo (3) University of Bergen – Dr Ignacio Herrera-Anchustegui (4) Norton Rose Fulbright – Jay Modrall |
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11.10 |
TEA / COFFEE |
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Innovation in grocery |
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11.30 |
An analysis of innovation in grocery Filippos Kaliakatsos, Europanel |
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Vertical competition and information exchange in double-agent relationships |
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11.50 |
Panel discussion: Mitigating competition concerns over information exchange and balancing efficiciency and competition outcomes Chairman: Sir Philip Lowe Panellists: (1) CMA – Sharon Horwitz (2) AIM – Christoph Leibenath (3) Clifford Chance – Greg Olsen (4) Compass Lexecon – Ciara Kalmus |
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13.00 |
LUNCH |
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Business models in grocery |
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14.00 |
Comparing and contrasting retail and branded supplier business models David Haigh, Brand Finance |
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Online and offline consumer manipulation – parasitic packaging, dark patterns and enforcement choices |
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14.20 |
Panel discussion: Exploring the boundaries between lawful and unlawful influencing of consumers and when to enforce Chairman: Professor Ariel Ezrachi, Oxford University Panellists: (1) CMA Nudge Unit – Laura Smart (2) Which? – Rocio Concha Galguera (3) Stobbs IP – Geoff Steward (4) Oxera – David Jevons |
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15.20 |
TEA / COFFEE |
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Ecosystem competition – Amazon investigations and beyond |
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15.40 |
Panel discussion: Comparing and contrasting EU, UK and US investigations Chairman: Professor Bill Kovacic Panellists: (1) BIICL - Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen (2) University of Arizona – Professor Barak Orbach (3) Keystone Europe – Dr Cristina Caffarra (4) ROCC – Tom Smith |
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16.40 |
Closing remarks Professor Ariel Ezrachi |
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17.00 |
Drinks, sponsored by Oxera |