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UK supermarkets set for shake-up UK supermarkets set for shake-up
(about 2 hours later)
Supermarkets may be forced to sell land to allow rivals to open in areas where there is not enough competition.Supermarkets may be forced to sell land to allow rivals to open in areas where there is not enough competition.
The measure is likely to be among the Competition Commission's suggestions to remedy problems it has identified in the UK's grocery market.The measure is likely to be among the Competition Commission's suggestions to remedy problems it has identified in the UK's grocery market.
There could also be a call for an ombudsman to protect food suppliers in any disputes with the big four supermarket chains.There could also be a call for an ombudsman to protect food suppliers in any disputes with the big four supermarket chains.
The regulator will release its long-awaited report at 1630 GMT. The regulator will release its latest report at 1630 GMT.
There has been some doubt about how effective a new regulator would be.
According to market research group TNS Worldpanel, the UK's big four - Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons - now account for more than three-quarters (76.2%) of the grocery market.According to market research group TNS Worldpanel, the UK's big four - Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons - now account for more than three-quarters (76.2%) of the grocery market.
They stand to be most affected by any changes to the system.They stand to be most affected by any changes to the system.
See the supermarkets' share of the marketSee the supermarkets' share of the market
'Too few supermarkets''Too few supermarkets'
In October, the commission concluded that there were aspects of the grocery market that prevented or restricted competition.In October, the commission concluded that there were aspects of the grocery market that prevented or restricted competition.
A supermarkets ombudsman could protect suppliersA supermarkets ombudsman could protect suppliers
It said many people had too few large supermarkets to choose from in their local area which acted as a barrier to competitionIt said many people had too few large supermarkets to choose from in their local area which acted as a barrier to competition
The commission found, for example, that certain retailers hold on to land, which could prevent others from setting up shop nearby.The commission found, for example, that certain retailers hold on to land, which could prevent others from setting up shop nearby.
The commission is expected to recommend changes to the planning system to combat this problem.The commission is expected to recommend changes to the planning system to combat this problem.
These could involve a limit on the length of time supermarkets can keep undeveloped land and stopping supermarkets from imposing restrictive covenants on land to prevent competitors building on it.These could involve a limit on the length of time supermarkets can keep undeveloped land and stopping supermarkets from imposing restrictive covenants on land to prevent competitors building on it.
Retailers could even be forced to sell stores or land in areas where they are too powerful.Retailers could even be forced to sell stores or land in areas where they are too powerful.
The commission is also expected to call for a supermarkets ombudsman to protect suppliers in their dealings with the big chains.The commission is also expected to call for a supermarkets ombudsman to protect suppliers in their dealings with the big chains.
In October, the commission said it was concerned about retailers being able to transfer unexpected costs to their suppliers.In October, the commission said it was concerned about retailers being able to transfer unexpected costs to their suppliers.
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