The Commission for protection of competition opens a sector inquiry to examine the competitive environment on the e-commerce market of consumer goods and services on the territory of the country

In the context of the rapidly growing digital economy, which has a particularly important role in the pandemic caused by the spread of a coronavirus (Covid-19), e-commerce has been observed to have a growing social and economic importance. The scope of the digital economy covers all economic processes, transactions, interactions and activities that are based on digital technologies. In light of this the Commission has set as key priority the monitoring of the digital markets during past 2020 and 2021 years. The observations showed that the e-commerce of consumer goods and services occupies an increasingly important place in the public life and continues to develop over time. This raises the need for the Commission to focus on this sector in order to obtain information on the functioning of this innovative market, the influence of market forces on the behaviour of its participants, as well as information on the barriers to competition and the effects of the growth of the e-commerce.
Such an analysis will give the CPC a detailed picture of the current market processes and the possible need for additional initiatives and measures by the Commission, to support the competitive process and to contribute to the proper development of the market environment, for the benefit of consumer’s welfare.
Carrying out a sector inquiry of the e-commerce market in Bulgaria would be a natural continuation of the Commission's annual priority. This is part of its timely response to the current market trends, given the need for economic restructuring and the country's digital transition.
Within its legal powers, the CPC will request up-to-date information from the competent public authorities, the respective branch organisations and the market participants. The socio-economic significance of this sector requires a detailed and responsible study, which is why the CPC calls on the public and the business for active cooperation and to provide information and data in connection with the current proceedings.

The full text of the decision is available in the public electronic register of the CPC on this Internet address: https://reg.cpc.bg.