On 20 March, 2006, the Competition (Amendment) Act 2005 came into force in the Republic of Ireland. The primary purpose of the Amendment Act is the repeal of the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order 1987 which prohibited, together with certain other conduct, the selling of groceries below net invoice price, a practice commonly referred to as ‘below-cost selling’.

This article considers the implications for grocery retailers, wholesalers and suppliers resulting from the Amendment Act.