“Pingo Doce confirms that it has received from the Competition Authority another decision to impose a fine, within the framework of the previous ones. This decision is also unfair and undeserved and, therefore, like the previous ones, it will be challenged in the courts in order to restore the truth of the facts”.

The company's official source also said that nothing will stop Pingo Doce from “continuing to offer the Portuguese the greatest discounts and the greatest price and promotion opportunities”.

The Competition Authority (AdC) imposed a global fine of almost 19.5 million euros on Auchan, Modelo Continente, Pingo Doce, Beiersdorf and on a person in charge of this company for participating in a price-fixing scheme.

“AdC sanctioned three supermarket chains - Auchan, Modelo Continente (Sonae group), and Pingo Doce (Jerónimo Martins group) - as well as the joint supplier of personal hygiene and cosmetic products Beiersdorf and a person in charge of this company, for having participated in a pricing scheme for consumer sales (PVP) of that supplier's products”.

The total fine was fixed at 19,469,276 euros, the highest value being applied to the individual responsible for Beiersdorf (9,276.80 euros).

Modelo Continente was subject to a fine of 7,520,000 euros, followed by Pingo Doce (4,880,000 euros), Beiersdorf (4,400,000 euros) and Auchan (2,660,000 euros).