The Norwegian Competition Authority has decided to extend the commitments imposed on the two motor fuel chains Circle K and YX Norge in 2020, which prohibit the publication of indicative list prices for motor fuel on their websites. These obligations will now also apply to Uno-X.
The original decision, introduced to prevent potential coordination of fuel prices through the publication of list prices, was set to expire on October 15, 2025. The commitments will now remain in force until October 15, 2030.
– Publishing indicative list prices can still facilitate more effective coordination of prices, including the level and timing of price increases. This could lead to higher prices for consumers. Extending these commitments for another five years is therefore necessary, says Marita Mæland Skjæveland, Director of the Department for Construction, Industry, and Energy at the Norwegian Competition Authority.
The fuel market has not changed significantly since 2020. Structural conditions that facilitate coordination remain, including a small number of major players and a high degree of transparency in fuel pump prices.
The Authority launched an investigation in 2019 into suspected cooperation between Circle K and YX on fuel pricing. The concern was that publishing indicative list prices facilitated parallel national pump price increases, potentially in breach of the prohibition on anti-competitive agreements and concerted practices. While Circle K and YX did not share the Authority’s competition concerns, they nevertheless committed to refrain from publishing such prices on their website as part of remedial measures.
Following a corporate restructuring in 2024, YX Norge AS* and Uno-X Mobility Norge AS are now obligated by the same conditions that previously applied to YX. Both companies are therefore included in the renewed commitments.
Read the original 2020 press release here: Closes investigation against Circle K and YX – Konkurransetilsynet
* YX Norge AS was founded in 2024 as part of the merger between YX Betjent AS and Best Stasjon AS.