Antitrust and the Olympic Games

Another action against parasitic marketing. Three supermarket chains targeted

Two investigations opened for Md and Il Gigante, moral suasion for Famila (Selex Group). The companies' replies

Giochi di luce al braciere olimpico dell’Arco della Pace Milano - Italia -  Sabato, 07 Febbraio, 2026 (Foto di Marco Ottico/Lapresse)

3' min read

Translated by AI
Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI
Versione italiana

There are three large-scale retail chains on which the Antitrust Authority has intervened with the opening of two investigations and a moral suasion for 'parasitic' marketing activities, so-called 'ambush marketing' in the context of the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games for the possible violation of Article 10 of Decree-Law No. 16 of 2020. The chains are Rialto which operates the Il Gigante supermarket chain, MD which owns the MD supermarket and discount chain, and Selex Gruppo Commerciale which operates the Famila supermarket chain.

The first investigation was launched against Rialto, Il Gigante supermarkets, for an advertising campaign called 'TecnOlimpiadi', which took place from 15 to 28 January, in which the company carried out promotional sales of household appliances and electronics products, using the five Olympic rings and images of the Winter Games. The second investigation was instead launched against MD for its advertising campaign 'Start of the Olympic Games MD Edition' with images depicting, among other things, the five Olympic rings and the Olympic flame. For Selex, the Antitrust Authority started a moral suasion action against the operator of the Famila supermarket chain for an advertising campaign in which the Olympic symbols are evoked.

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At the end of January, the Authority had intervened on the same grounds against Harmont & Blaine, a group that produces and sells clothing, because the Olympic symbol had been taken up in advertising messages and/or the hashtag #MilanoCortina and #MilanoCortina2026 had been used, directly referring to the event.

The investigation was carried out following a report and in cooperation with the Special Antitrust Unit of the Guardia di Finanza.

The replicas of Md and Selex

Two of the companies involved in the investigation have issued notices in response to the opening of actions against ambush marketing.

Selex's one reads: "Following a formal communication from Agcom regarding social content associated with the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, the Selex Group promptly removed the post from the Famila brand's digital channels. While reaffirming the purely creative nature of the content - intended as a tribute to an event of national importance - the Group chose to act with the utmost promptness, confirming its orientation towards full cooperation with the Authorities. The communication strategy of the Selex Group is based on principles of transparency, responsibility and strict compliance with the regulatory framework in force. Every initiative is conducted with respect for the rights of all stakeholders, to safeguard the reputation and integrity of the organisation".

For Md, the note issued on Friday evening emphasised the company's desire to 'clarify the investigation launched by the Antitrust Authority (A.G.C.M.) into certain content published on social networks.) on some content published on social networks, specifying that the same was to be considered an episodic initiative that had been conceived solely for promotional and communication purposes, as part of commercial initiatives aimed at its customers, without any desire to create confusion about the identity of the event's official sponsors, to boast of non-existent sponsorship relations or other direct relations with the sporting event. Md has always operated in full compliance with market rules and regulations, adopting careful internal procedures for the verification and compliance of commercial communication activities. Trusting that the discussion with the Authority will allow to fully clarify the nature and modalities of the messages disseminated and subject to assessment, we reiterate our confidence in the work of the institutions and in the proper conduct of the investigation'.

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