The mood was businesslike and there was plenty of competition for items of all prices.

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The Microsoft antitrust case, decided by her immediate predecessor, Mario Monti, was one of the first and biggest items in Kroes' in-tray when she became head of the European Competition Commission in 2004.

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On top of these items, perhaps the oxygen to the heart if you will, is less of a focus on price competition which has hurt gross margin.

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Among the items discussed were how to improve competition between the city's other bus operators and the introduction of a "smart ticketing" system similar to London's Oyster card, which would work with different providers.

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It was a thankless competition that involved plunging gloveless hands into rotting piles of refuse, seeking and sorting out sellable items.

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