Fidelity rebates and competition

Firms use fidelity rebates to offer better prices to those buyers that demonstrate loyalty in the purchases they make. These schemes are often introduced as discounts on an existing price, and so may stimulate demand as well as helping to achieve efficiencies. However, in some circumstances they can prevent rivals from competing effectively or force the exit of rivals.

In recent years there have been important cases in different jurisdictions, and some have led to unprecedented fines. However, there have long been important differences in the way in which different agencies assess fidelity rebates, and while these different approaches have evolved in recent years, differences persist.

In June 2016 the OECD Competition Committee discussed the different approaches to assessing fidelity rebates and looked at how these are changing. Access all related papers and presentations on this page.

Read the Executive summary with key findings from the discussion and the Detailed summary of the discussion. Voir la synthèse et le résumé détaillé de la discussion.

Access the full list of Competition Policy Roundtables

JUNE 2016 SESSION DOCUMENTATION

Pannelists, papers and presentations

Executive summary with key findings | Synthèse

Summary of the discussion | Resumé détaillé

Background Note by the Secretariat | ppt

Note de référence du Secrétariat

Summaries of contributions

Joseph FARRELL Bio
University of California, US presenting Fidelity discounts

Alison JONES Bio
King’s College London presenting Fidelity rebates: terminology and legal framework | ppt

James VENIT Bio
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Brussels presenting Rebates under EU law: the current state of play and policy implications