CMA news and archive

Employment, IP, and sustainability: UK regulatory reforms for fashion and retail

The UK regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly, and 2025 has seen a series of changes that will shape how fashion and retail businesses operate in 2026. From employment and apprenticeship reforms to intellectual property, sustainability and cyber security, these updates impact staffing, supply chains, product claims, and compliance obligations....

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Armani fined 3.5 million euros by CMA for unfair practices

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has fined Giorgio Armani Spa and G.A Operations Spa 3.5 million euros for allegedly misleading consumers with false claims of ethical and social responsibility. The CMA's investigation found that the companies' marketing, which emphasised their commitment to sustainability and worker well-being,...

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Amazon agrees to tackle fake reviews in UK

Amazon has agreed to clamp down on fake online reviews of products advertised on its UK site, Britain's competition regulator said Friday. Google agreed a similar UK commitment in January after the Competition and Markets Authority launched an investigation into the matter five years ago. Amazon "has signed undertakings committing to enhance its...

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Fashion

New UK legislation puts fashion’s green claims under scrutiny

As of April 6th, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been granted significantly enhanced enforcement powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Act. This sweeping legislation represents a crucial shift in consumer protection, equipping the CMA with the ability to impose direct and severe penalties on...

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Former Amazon executive to head UK's competition watchdog

The British government has decided to appoint a former Amazon boss as chair of the competition regulator CMA, an announcement that comes as US President Donald Trump has vowed to defend its tech giants abroad. Doug Gurr, president of Amazon China between 2014 and 2016 and then director of the group in the UK until 2020, "has been appointed...

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17 Brands advised to review practices as CMA outlines compliance guidelines

17 well-known fashion brands have been advised by the Competition Markets Authority (CMA) to review business practices in regards to their green claims. The move has led the UK watchdog to issue a compliance guide based on its already existing Green Claims Code, with it hoping that these further tips can help in levelling the playing field and...

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Asos, Boohoo and Asda promise “landmark changes” following CMA greenwashing probe

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has reported that fashion e-tailers Asos and Boohoo, along with supermarket clothing brand George at Asda, have signed formal agreements to use “only accurate and clear green claims” moving forward as it cracks down on “greenwashing” in the sector. The move follows the CMA launching a greenwashing...

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CMA rules JD and Leicester City FC broke competition rules

Following a lengthy investigation into the duo’s operations, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has officially found JD Sports and its partner Leicester City Football Club Limited guilty of breaking competition law. The decision comes in regards to allegations that the two companies colluded to restrict competition in the sale of...

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CMA: JD Sports broke competition laws with Leicester City FC

JD Sport has found itself in the crosshairs of the UK’s competition watchdog once again for breaking competition laws alongside football club Leicester City FC. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said Wednesday it has provisionally found that JD Sports and Leicester City FC “colluded to restrict competition in the sales of Leicester...

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UK targets big tech to boost online consumer rights

Global tech giants could face fines of up to 10 percent of their annual turnover if a British government bill to protect consumers launched on Tuesday becomes law. The bill aims to strengthen competition in digital markets and crack down on subscription traps as well as prevent online scams such as fake reviews. It envisages giving the...

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Fashion |Interview

CMA interview: Fashion's tricky issue of greenwashing and how the UK is fighting it

Greenwashing in fashion is one of the industry’s hottest topics at the moment as vague claims like “sustainable”, “green”, “eco”, and “environmentally friendly” are facing mounting scrutiny from shoppers seeking more transparent ways to buy more responsibly. As consumer demand for less environmentally damaging clothing has grown, so too has...

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CMA urges UK shoppers to report online rip-offs

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is promoting the next step of its ‘Online Rip-Off Tip-Off’ campaign, by educating consumers on misleading online sale tactics and encouraging them to report businesses who make use of them. The campaign is led by Martin Lewis Money Show co-presenter Angellica Bell and enables consumers to tip off...