The European Commission on Monday issued a fine totalling $376 million to Delivery Hero and its former rival, Glovo, for participating in an online food delivery cartel.

The German company Delivery Hero became a minority shareholder of the Spain-based Glovo in 2018 before acquiring sole control of Glovo in 2022.

Delivery Hero owns several other delivery brands, including Foodora.

Between 2018 and 2022, the two companies breached European Union competition rules in several ways, according to the commission.

“The parties agreed not to poach each other’s employees, exchanged insight information, and allocated geographic markets within the EEA (European Economic Area),’’ said the commission’s vice-president, Teresa Ribera.

According to the commission, commercially sensitive information was exchanged via email and in messaging groups, even though access to this kind of information has to be restricted until a merger is concluded.

Both companies have acknowledged their participation in the cartel and agreed to settle the case, according to the commission.

“This case is important because these practices were facilitated through an anticompetitive use of Delivery Hero’s minority stake in Glovo,’’ Ms Ribera said.

The commission formally opened an investigation in July 2024 following several inspections at the companies’ premises.

The probe aimed to ensure choice and reasonable prices, the commission said. 

(dpa/NAN)