Gucci, Guardia di Finanza in the Milan office for an Antitrust inspection – Corriere.it

The Guardia di Finanza, in collaboration with the agents of the European Commission, inspected a Milan office of luxury goods company Gucci, (controlled by the French company Kering), which deals with the production of leather goods, suitcases, wallets, bags and shoes. The operation is part of an investigation by the European Union announced last Tuesday, involving several countries and companies in the fashion world. The group is collaborating fully with the Commission in this investigation, reads a note from Kering, the company led by entrepreneur François-Henri Pinault that controls Gucci.

Returning to the operation by the Guardia di Finanza, the European Commission has announced that it has carried out unannounced inspections of the premises of several suspected companies over fears they may have violated EU antitrust rules that ban cartels and restrictive trading practices. In parallel, he also sent formal requests for information to companies operating in the same sector, but did not name the companies or countries, in line with his policy. Anti-competitive practices are subject to significant penalties. But companies that have participated in a cartel may benefit from immunity or a significant reduction in the fine incurred if they report such practices and cooperate with investigators. Meanwhile, it seems that four big names in the sector have also been involved in this survey: Firmenich International SA (Geneva), Givaudan SA (Geneva), International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (USA) and Symrise AG (Germany).