Symposium - Evolving competition dynamics: The interface between competition policy, brands and retailers

Event date
16 June 2023
Event time
09:00 - 18:00
Oxford week
TT 8
Audience
Anyone
Faculty Members
General Public
Members of the University
Postgraduate Students
Undergraduate Students
Venue
CCLP & IECL
Speaker(s)

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

09.00

COFFEE AND REGISTRATION

09.30

Introduction

Professor Ariel Ezrachi

 

Keynote presentation

09.40

Evolving competition policy and the potential impact on FMCG markets

Sir Philip Lowe, Oxera

 

Regulating horizontal agreements

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

11.10

TEA / COFFEE

 

Innovation in grocery

11.30

An analysis of innovation in grocery

Filippos Kaliakatsos, Europanel

 

Vertical competition and information exchange in double-agent relationships

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

13.00

LUNCH

 

Business models in grocery

14.00

Comparing and contrasting retail and branded supplier business models

David Haigh, Brand Finance

 

 

Online and offline consumer manipulation – parasitic packaging, dark patterns and enforcement choices

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

15.20

TEA / COFFEE

 

Ecosystem competition – Amazon investigations and beyond

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

16.40

Closing remarks

Professor Ariel Ezrachi

17.00

Drinks, sponsored by Oxera

Found within

Competition Law