Pierre Cardin and Ahlers Fined €5.7 Million for Antitrust Violations

The European Commission penalized the companies for restricting cross-border sales and competition within the EU single market.

The European Commission fined Pierre Cardin €2.2 million and its former licensee Ahlers €3.5 million for anticompetitive practices.
The violations involved agreements to restrict cross-border sales and shield Ahlers from competition in its licensed territories between 2008 and 2021.
The investigation began with unannounced inspections in 2021 and a formal inquiry launched in 2022, concluding with the ruling in 2024.
In 2023, German company Röthers acquired Ahlers, including its Pierre Cardin license, and restructured the brand under its subsidiary R. Brand Group.
The European Commission continues to intensify enforcement of antitrust rules to prevent market fragmentation and protect competition within the EU.