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The
investigation has focused on trade in electronics, clothing,
shoes and digital content, examining whether companies have
engaged in anti-competitive practices, such as agreements to
prevent the sale of products or services in certain countries,
or to sell at higher prices.
A paper on the data collected will be released on March 18,
European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager told
reporters on the sidelines of a conference organized by German
law group Studienvereinigung Kartellrecht.
"This is the first analysis and then maybe we will look into
opening cases," she said.
While about half of EU consumers shopped online in 2014, only 15
percent bought a product online in another EU country because of
language barriers, different laws and anti-competitive behavior,
data from the European Commission shows.
Vestager said that an interim report would be issued towards the
end of the summer or the beginning of autumn. The final report
is scheduled for the first quarter of 2017.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by David Goodman)
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