French alcohol industry giant under anti-monopoly investigation in India

French wine giant Pernod Ricard Group is under investigation in India for alleged "providing benefits to retailers" to increase its market share. According to Agence France-Presse on the 9th, the Competition Commission of India received a complaint from a resident of Jaipur, ordering an antitrust investigation into the group on the 8th. According to the Competition Commission of India, Pernod Ricard proposed in 2021 to provide approximately $22 million in financial support to its retail partners in the Indian market in exchange for its brands occupying 35% of all the alcohol products sold in stores. Pernod Ricard's market share for its products is alleged to have increased from 15% to 35%, with plans to further increase it to 47% within 3 years. The Competition Commission of India stated that Pernod Ricard is suspected of artificially distorting market demand, squeezing out competitors, and potentially limiting consumer choice rather than benefiting from it.