Pursuant to Article 47 of the Law on Protection of Competition, the Commission conducted a sectoral analysis of the state of competition in the distribution channels of ceramic tiles and sanitary ware.

A comprehensive analysis of the distribution channels of ceramic tiles and sanitary ware was conducted, in the market of the Republic of Serbia for the period from 2018 until 2020. This also implied determining the relationship between competitors – manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and retailers in the market of ceramic tiles and sanitary ware, assessing their market share and relative strength, analysis of contractual relationships, and the effects that these relationships may have on competition. The focus of the analysis was on the wholesale market of ceramic tiles and sanitary ware, while the market for the production of ceramic tiles and sanitary ware and the retail market of ceramic tiles and sanitary ware were processed in certain segments, solely in order to fully understand the distribution chain of the subject products.

An extensive network of trade in the said products was observed, wholesalers and retailers cooperating with a large number of suppliers, almost all of which are profiled as multi-brand stores with a wide range of different manufacturers, distributors and suppliers. Apart from the afore said, the analysis of the contract indicates that there are certain phenomena that may be potentially controversial from the aspect of competition protection, and the Commission will therefore continue monitoring the behavior of market participants and circumstances that indicate to violations of the Law on Competition.

The Commission would like to thank all market participants who provided the requested information in the course of the analysis.