New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc.; Proposed Consent Agreement with Analysis to Aid Public Comment

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In settlement of alleged violations of federal law prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or practices and unfair methods of competition, this consent agreement, accepted subject to final Commission approval, would prohibit, among other things, the Boston, Massachusetts-based shoe manufacturer from fixing, controlling, or maintaining the resale prices at which retailers advertise, promote, or offer for sale any New Balance athletic or casual footwear. It also prohibits New Balance from coercing or pressuring any retailer to maintain or adopt any resale price and from attempting to secure their commitment to any resale price. This consent agreement settles allegations that New Balance entered into agreements with some of its retailers to restrict price competition, thereby raising prices for consumers.