The Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (GCCA) has opened an investigation into a possible infringement of competition law in the market for online ready-to-eat food delivery platforms, acting on a complaint submitted by LLC "Delivery Technologies Georgia".
The complaint concerns the alleged conduct of "Wolt" and "Glovo", which, according to the complainant, may be incompatible with competition rules and may impede the operation of other undertakings on the market.
The complainant submits that "Wolt" and "Glovo" have entered into agreements with certain restaurants and food service establishments that restrict the latter's ability to cooperate with other online platforms. In the complainant's view, such practices make it more difficult for new platforms to enter the market and may adversely affect conditions of competition. The complainant considers the conduct at issue to be a possible infringement of Article 6 of the Law of Georgia on Competition.
The complainant and the respondent undertakings operate online platforms through which consumers can order and receive ready-to-eat food, groceries and other products. Restaurants, shops and other retail outlets list their products and offers on the platforms, while consumers select the desired product online, pay for it and, as a rule, receive the order through a courier service. The platforms thus connect consumers, restaurants and retail outlets and facilitate the exchange of goods and services among them.
With a view to clarifying the matter, the Agency will examine the circumstances in the course of the investigation and assess whether the requirements laid down in Article 6 of the Law of Georgia on Competition have been infringed.
The GCCA is currently conducting investigations in four issues.
