After having been fined GBP 112.3 million by the UK consumer affairs watchdog, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), for allegedly colluding with retailers to fix prices, Imperial Tobacco announced on Friday that it will appeal the decision.

In a press release, Imperial Tobacco said it looks forward to the appeal hearing, "given that this will be the first time in the course of a seven year investigation that the allegations made by the OFT will be reviewed by an independent tribunal."
The OFT's investigation began in 2003, and relates to certain promotional arrangements that Imperial Tobacco had entered into with multiple retailers in the a period from 1 March 2000 to 15 August 2003. The OFT alleges that these arrangements had the purpose or effect of restricting competition, which is categorically denied by Imperial Tobacco. (pi)