The French Competition Authority has imposed €611 million in fines on ten appliance manufacturers and two retailers for colluding to maintain artificially high prices between February 2007 and December 2014. Leading firms like Seb, Whirlpool, and Darty were found to have coordinated their pricing strategies, harming consumer competition. Many companies accepted the sanctions, while Boulanger and Seb plan to appeal. The ruling highlights significant anti-competitive practices in the appliance market during a period of rising online sales.

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