Morellato, maxi fine of over 25 million from Antitrust

The Antitrust Authority has imposed a fine of €25,895,043 on Morellato Spa for a restrictive cartel in the distribution of mid-range-accessible jewellery and watches, implemented from 20 July 2018 to 23 December 2025.

This was announced by the Italian Antitrust Authority, which 'has ascertained that Morellato, one of Italy's leading manufacturers of affordable mid-range (i.e. non-luxury) watches and jewellery, imposed sales prices by setting maximum discount levels that distributors could apply on online sales channels, through precise recommendations to retailers on the percentages to be applied'.

The investigation, reads a note, showed that the conduct was implemented through the continuous monitoring of distributors' prices, with punishment systems against those who did not comply with its instructions, subsequent reminders and requests to revoke discounts, up to the automatic blocking of orders and Amazon accounts, and even with threats to terminate the contract.

Furthermore, in its distribution contracts, Morellato has included an explicit clause prohibiting its distributors from operating on third-party online platforms (such as Amazon, eBay, etc.).

Morellato's compliance with this ban on the use of the marketplace was also subject to monitoring, threats and retaliation in the event of violations, contrary to its behaviour as a company operating on marketplaces.