The Fair Trade Commission on Monday ordered Seven-Eleven Japan Co. to stop barring franchise stores from selling boxed launches and other food products at bargain prices.
Seven-Eleven Japan has unfairly prevented the outlets from selling the food products close to their expiration dates at lower prices, the FTC said, adding that the restriction by the nation's biggest convenience store chain constitutes an antimonopoly violation that capitalizes on its dominant position.
Seven-Eleven Japan requires franchises to take food products off their shelves two hours before their expiration and throw them away, sources said.
The restriction makes it impossible for the franchises to cut operating costs based on their own judgment, the FTC said.