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Supermarkets accused of monopoly | Supermarkets accused of monopoly |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Supermarkets flout fair trading rules by threatening to stop buying from suppliers who make complaints against them, a survey has suggested. | Supermarkets flout fair trading rules by threatening to stop buying from suppliers who make complaints against them, a survey has suggested. |
A poll of 50 senior directors of UK supermarket suppliers found three- quarters did not have faith in Office of Fair Trading (OFT) rules. | |
More than half (52%) feared supermarkets would shut down their accounts if they complained. | More than half (52%) feared supermarkets would shut down their accounts if they complained. |
They believed this rendered the OFT's rules on supermarkets unenforceable. | They believed this rendered the OFT's rules on supermarkets unenforceable. |
Duncan Swift, of business advisory firm Grant Thornton, which carried out the research earlier this year, said many food firms complained that supermarkets treated them badly. | Duncan Swift, of business advisory firm Grant Thornton, which carried out the research earlier this year, said many food firms complained that supermarkets treated them badly. |
'Ugly results' | 'Ugly results' |
He said: "If they complain the likelihood is that they will lose the business through de-listing. There is no real protection. | He said: "If they complain the likelihood is that they will lose the business through de-listing. There is no real protection. |
"Unbridled supermarket power has caused some ugly results for food suppliers and better, more enforceable rules are needed to ensure fair trading and the long-term prospects for the sector." | "Unbridled supermarket power has caused some ugly results for food suppliers and better, more enforceable rules are needed to ensure fair trading and the long-term prospects for the sector." |
The survey comes in the midst of an investigation by the Competition Commission into allegations of unfair practices within the UK's grocery industry. | The survey comes in the midst of an investigation by the Competition Commission into allegations of unfair practices within the UK's grocery industry. |
More than one-fifth of the business leaders questioned for the poll said supermarkets should be forced to commit in writing to the key terms of trade agreements. | More than one-fifth of the business leaders questioned for the poll said supermarkets should be forced to commit in writing to the key terms of trade agreements. |
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