Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, ANTITRUST NEWS: Gasoline Distributor, Stations Owner Accused of Below-Cost Pricing to Monopolize St. Louis Retail Market, (Apr 9, 2013)
Organizations Mentioned:G.N.W. Enterprises, Inc. | Halls Ferry Service, LLC | QuikTrip Corp. | West Moreland Service, Inc.
By William Zale, J.D.
Gasoline station owners in the St. Louis metropolitan area have accused gasoline distributor and multiple station owner QuikTrip of below-cost predatory pricing to monopolize the sale of retail gasoline in the St. Louis market. The complaint in West Moreland Service, Inc. v. QuikTrip Corp. was filed in the federal district court in St. Louis on April 7, 2013.
QuikTrip allegedly began and has engaged in a price war with the plaintiffs and other gas station owners in the St. Louis metropolitan area since July 2011, with QuikTrip posting reduced pricing changes for its gasoline on almost a daily basis, and at times changing its posted gasoline prices several times in the course of a day. As a result of QuikTrip’s predatory pricing, the plaintiffs have been forced to lower their retail prices for gasoline in order to maintain customers and remain in business, according to the complaint. QuikTrip allegedly has forced independent gas station owners out of the St. Louis marketplace, including plaintiffs West Moreland and GNW Enterprises.
The plaintiffs assert violations of the Robinson-Patman Act, Section 2 of the Sherman Act, and the Missouri Motor Fuel Marketing Act. The plaintiffs request relief including an injunction, an award of treble damages for injuries sustained of over $50 million, and the imposition of civil penalties pursuant to Section 416.615 RS Mo.
The case is No. 4:13-cv-00653.
Attorneys: Eric E. Vickers for West Moreland Service, Inc., G.N.W. Enterprises, Inc., and Halls Ferry Service, LLC.
Companies: West Moreland Service, Inc.; G.N.W. Enterprises, Inc.; Halls Ferry Service, LLC; QuikTrip Corp.
News: Antitrust MissouriNews