UK: Model agencies fined £1.5m by CMA for price fixing

Five model agencies and their trade body have been fined a total of £1.5m by the competition watchdog for price fixing.

FM Models, Models 1, Premier, Storm and Viva, together with the Association of Model Agents, “colluded instead of competing” on prices for modelling services, the Competition and Markets Authority said.

This took place from at least April 2013 until March 2015, according to the watchdog, which issued its findings after a 21-month investigation.

The CMA looked into a range of modelling assignments, from magazine fashion shoots offering fees of a few hundred pounds to ad campaigns offering more than £10,000.

It said: “The conduct occurred in the context of negotiations with a range of customers, including well-known high street chains, online fashion retailers and consumer goods brands.”

But the CMA said the collusion “did not… extend to the services of so-called ‘top models’”.

John Wotton, chair of the body’s case decision group, said: “This type of behaviour harms the economy and deprives businesses and consumers of the benefit of competition.”

Full Content: Sky News

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