Manager This is a leader. The editor expresses the newspaper’s position.
On Friday morning, Nordlys investigated the prices at ten dealers in Tromsø.
Five of the dealers had exactly the same price for both diesel and petrol. Here, the price of diesel was NOK 23.19, while petrol cost NOK 24.73.
The other five dealers also had identical prices. The diesel cost NOK 22.99, while the petrol cost NOK 24.53.
This is no coincidence. Motorists in Tromsø have seen the same picture for a long time.
Instead of competition, which would have benefited the customers, we see what looks suspiciously like price cooperation.
We have no evidence to claim that the retailers agree prices among themselves, but there is little doubt that the retailers adjust their prices according to their competitors’ prices.
The consequence is the same, whether there is an agreed game or not.
The customers are the losers. When the price is the same for everyone, customers do not have the opportunity to push prices down by choosing the cheapest option.
The picture is reinforced by the fact that fuel prices in the districts around Tromsø are generally significantly lower than in the city. At most, the difference can be more than five kroner between city and country.
We see no good reason why this should be so. The Norwegian Competition Authority should definitely take a closer look at the matter.
Price collusion is illegal, but the situation in Tromsø seems to be in a gray area at best. Thus, it can be difficult to overcome the problem.
The politicians should also get involved in the matter. If it is not possible to stop the unsustainable situation, there may be reason to look at whether the current laws and regulations are sufficient.
Regardless of what the Norwegian Competition Authority and the politicians may do, there should be clear political signals to the retailers. The situation is unsustainable.
