Tokyo, Oct. 20 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Fair Trade Commission on Tuesday conducted an on-site inspection of pet food company Vet’s Choice Japan Corp. on suspicion of violating the antimonopoly law by restricting pet food retail prices, Jiji Press learned. Vet’s Choice Japan, a consolidated subsidiary of household goods wholesaler Arata Corp., listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange’s top-tier Prime section, is suspected of making retailers such as pet supply stores, pet salons and home improvement stores sell its Select Balance brand of dog and cat food at designated prices for several years, sources said. Furthermore, Vet’s Choice Japan, based in Kasugai, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, allegedly indicated the possibility of suspending shipments to retailers if they sold the products at discounted prices and restricted the rate of reward points retailers could offer customers on online sales. As Select Balance is a popular brand in the higher-priced pet food segment, retailers often had to comply with Vet’s Choice Japan’s requests to maintain their business relationships with the company. The antimonopoly law prohibits manufacturers from forcing retailers to adhere to designated selling prices, a practice considered unfair trade. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
