The Federal Cartel Office has imposed a fine of almost two million euros on the school backpack manufacturer Fond Of, known for brands such as ergobag and Satch, for restricting price competition. “For years, the Fond Of company has set minimum prices for its school rucksacks and bags and has ensured that the retailers involved do not fall below these prices,” said the President of the Cartel Office, Andreas Mundt. Such “vertical price fixing” often meant that consumers would have to pay higher prices, said Mundt. “Parents’ willingness to pay to protect their children is particularly high when it comes to school rucksacks and school bags. According to the investigation by the Cartel Office, Fond Of had restricted retailers in their pricing between 2010 and 2019 in the sale of school bags and backpacks. Compliance with the minimum prices was systematically checked and also enforced with sanctions against the dealers. And that, although manufacturers have actually only been allowed to give non-binding price recommendations since the 1970s.