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Grocery probe eyes local markets Grocery probe eyes local markets
(10 minutes later)
The Competition Commission is to focus on competition at the local level in the next phase of its probe into the UK's grocery industry.The Competition Commission is to focus on competition at the local level in the next phase of its probe into the UK's grocery industry.
The commission has been examining issues surrounding the supply chain, planning and land banks of the four big UK supermarkets.The commission has been examining issues surrounding the supply chain, planning and land banks of the four big UK supermarkets.
Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons control almost 75% of the UK market.Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons control almost 75% of the UK market.
The commission's full report is expected to be published next year, and it said it would not "punish" grocers.The commission's full report is expected to be published next year, and it said it would not "punish" grocers.
However it said worries remained about whether Tesco "or any other supermarket" could get into such a strong position that no other retailer could compete effectively.However it said worries remained about whether Tesco "or any other supermarket" could get into such a strong position that no other retailer could compete effectively.
It also pointed out that the number of stores operated by the big four has doubled since 2000. The number of stores operated by the big four has doubled since 2000.
Shopper choicesShopper choices
Peter Freeman, chairman of the commission and inquiry group chairman, said: "Our principal concern now is to focus on competition between retailers at the local level, where it most matters to consumers, as this is where many of the potential concerns we have would be evident."Peter Freeman, chairman of the commission and inquiry group chairman, said: "Our principal concern now is to focus on competition between retailers at the local level, where it most matters to consumers, as this is where many of the potential concerns we have would be evident."
Bigger buyers do not always appear to get better terms from suppliers Peter Freeman, Competition Commission chairmanBigger buyers do not always appear to get better terms from suppliers Peter Freeman, Competition Commission chairman
He said they now needed to see what choices shoppers had in particular areas and how competition works between retailers of different sizes.He said they now needed to see what choices shoppers had in particular areas and how competition works between retailers of different sizes.
"It would be a cause for concern if supermarkets, either individually or collectively, were in a position to increase prices or lower their offer in any particular locality or region because of lack of effective competition," he added."It would be a cause for concern if supermarkets, either individually or collectively, were in a position to increase prices or lower their offer in any particular locality or region because of lack of effective competition," he added.
The commission said larger stores constrained the prices, product range and service of smaller stores.The commission said larger stores constrained the prices, product range and service of smaller stores.
Below-cost selling by larger grocery retailers "may also unintentionally contribute to the exit of smaller grocery retailers and specialist stores," it said in its statement.Below-cost selling by larger grocery retailers "may also unintentionally contribute to the exit of smaller grocery retailers and specialist stores," it said in its statement.
Supply chain 'concerns'Supply chain 'concerns'
The Competition Commission's "emerging thinking" document also said it had examined the relationship between the big supermarkets and suppliers, amid allegations that supermarkets' buying power has increased.The Competition Commission's "emerging thinking" document also said it had examined the relationship between the big supermarkets and suppliers, amid allegations that supermarkets' buying power has increased.
"We have considered the evidence supplied concerning relationships between grocery retailers and their suppliers," said Mr Freeman."We have considered the evidence supplied concerning relationships between grocery retailers and their suppliers," said Mr Freeman.
"Whilst these haven't indicated widespread problems in the supply chain, there are still concerns."Whilst these haven't indicated widespread problems in the supply chain, there are still concerns.
The commission has not had a lot of evidence of the four supermarket groups squeezing suppliers Dr John Marti, Southampton University "The commission has not had a lot of evidence of the four supermarket groups squeezing suppliers Dr John Marti, Southampton University "
We have found that bigger buyers do not always appear to get better terms from suppliers, and food and drink manufacturers and processors, as well as wholesalers, seem to be in reasonable shape.We have found that bigger buyers do not always appear to get better terms from suppliers, and food and drink manufacturers and processors, as well as wholesalers, seem to be in reasonable shape.
"However, we have some concerns about farmers and we have not received as much specific evidence about unfair treatment of suppliers as we might have expected.""However, we have some concerns about farmers and we have not received as much specific evidence about unfair treatment of suppliers as we might have expected."
But it did point out that the number of dairy and pig meat farmers had declined in recent years, showing there were "significant difficulties" in those sectors.But it did point out that the number of dairy and pig meat farmers had declined in recent years, showing there were "significant difficulties" in those sectors.
Claire Melamed of charity ActionAid said three million people in the developing world supplied food to the leading UK supermarkets.Claire Melamed of charity ActionAid said three million people in the developing world supplied food to the leading UK supermarkets.
She said those overseas suppliers were seeing "wages and living conditions going down and down, while supermarket profits are going up and up".She said those overseas suppliers were seeing "wages and living conditions going down and down, while supermarket profits are going up and up".
'Conflicting evidence''Conflicting evidence'
Campaign groups have criticised supermarkets for owning large areas of undeveloped land across the UK, stifling potential competition.Campaign groups have criticised supermarkets for owning large areas of undeveloped land across the UK, stifling potential competition.
But the supermarkets argue their ownership of so-called "land banks" has not distorted competition.But the supermarkets argue their ownership of so-called "land banks" has not distorted competition.
Tesco, which accounts for £1 in every £3 spent in the UK on groceries, currently has the largest land development portfolio of the major supermarkets.Tesco, which accounts for £1 in every £3 spent in the UK on groceries, currently has the largest land development portfolio of the major supermarkets.
And the commission says it will now consider the implications of these land holdings as part on an analysis of competition between retailers.And the commission says it will now consider the implications of these land holdings as part on an analysis of competition between retailers.
It added: "There is conflicting evidence on the effect of planning controls - some say they are too restrictive, others that they are not restrictive enough."It added: "There is conflicting evidence on the effect of planning controls - some say they are too restrictive, others that they are not restrictive enough."
Dr John Marti, of Southampton University said the report had offered "not a lot" for those looking for criticisms of the big four's operations.Dr John Marti, of Southampton University said the report had offered "not a lot" for those looking for criticisms of the big four's operations.
He added: "The commission has not had a lot of evidence of the four supermarket groups squeezing suppliers."He added: "The commission has not had a lot of evidence of the four supermarket groups squeezing suppliers."