The European Commission’s competition division says that it has carried out unannounced inspections at the premises of companies involved in the market for online ordering and delivery.

The commission said that the inspections had taken place in two unnamed member states. It did not name the companies involved.

The competition body said that it had concerns that the companies might have violated article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which prohibits cartels and restrictive business practices.

‘Preliminary step’

It added that its investigation centred on an alleged agreement or concerted practice to share national markets for the online ordering and delivery of food, groceries and other consumer goods in the EU.

The commission described the unannounced inspections as “a preliminary step” in any investigation into suspected anti-competitive practices.

“The fact that the commission carries out such inspections does not mean that the companies are guilty of anti-competitive behaviour, nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself,” it stressed.