R2OK!

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

The Competition Commission is due to release its final report into the UK grocery market later.

The regulator has been consulting supermarkets, suppliers and others since it last reported in February.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7374163.stm

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I was watching GMTV this morning and they were reporting from the 'Bicester' where Tesco has about 7 stores scattered around the Village. Seems the supermarket does have a hold over other retailers. I do think they need to let others into towns and villagers to give people a variety?

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

The report has now been published - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7374720.stm

It recommends the creation of yet another quango - an Ombudsman (and staff) for the referral of disputes between the supermarkets and their suppliers. And all future planning applications for new stores are to be referred to the Office of Fair Trading to ensure that there is reasonable competition and choice in the area. There is also the question of undeveloped land which companies (principally Tesco) own to prevent a competitor moving in - they will not be forced to sell but they cannot place any restriction of use on any land they do sell.

It does nothing, however, to address the problem of large out-of-town developments taking business, and the life, out of traditional town high streets, or of the concerns of the small independent retailers who just cannot compete, not only by the superstore a mile away but by the same company buying up the old hairdresser/clothes shop three doors away and building a new Express/Local outlet just small enough to be able to open all hours including Sunday.
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Ron