ACS Speaks Up For Fairness in Grocery Market
18 Jun 2007
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has made its case to the Competition Commission at its second formal hearing. At the meeting ACS, accompanied by members and colleagues from the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, set out the case for fairness in the grocery market.
At the hearing ACS stressed the importance of understanding the impact of supermarket buyer power on competition. The delegation also discussed the need to find an accurate definition of the grocery market and the requirement for a range of outlets of various types in order to promote customer choice.
Speaking after the hearing ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “We had a positive and thorough meeting with the Commission. Over the past few months ACS has made a convincing case for action and we were glad to be able to debate this face to face with the Commissioners. We now have to reinforce our case and are hopeful that the Commission will agree with us that something has to be done now to ensure that consumers benefit from a competitive and diverse grocery market in the future.
“We pressed the Commission to do more to analyse the distortions caused by the supermarkets’ buyer power on growth and competitiveness in the wider grocery market.
“The Competition Commission is now in no doubt that we strongly reject any view that competition in the grocery market is solely about choice between large format supermarkets. Individuals shop in different ways and a healthy and sustainable market provides consumers with diversity and choice. We are confident that the Commission will agree with us on this crucial point.”
James Lowman continued: “The Commission’s next announcement, expected in September, is critically important to the future of a diverse grocery market that serves the needs of all consumers. There is a still a lot of work to be done, and ACS remains focused on leading our sector to a more level playing field.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
ACS
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
ACS
01252 515001
Notes to Editors:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. ACS’ submissions to the CC hearings are available on the Competition Commission’s Grocery Market Inquiry homepage: http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/ref2006/grocery/index.htm
3. ACS has worked with colleagues from the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, the Scottish Grocers Federation and the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association in making its case for a fairer grocery market.
At the hearing ACS stressed the importance of understanding the impact of supermarket buyer power on competition. The delegation also discussed the need to find an accurate definition of the grocery market and the requirement for a range of outlets of various types in order to promote customer choice.
Speaking after the hearing ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “We had a positive and thorough meeting with the Commission. Over the past few months ACS has made a convincing case for action and we were glad to be able to debate this face to face with the Commissioners. We now have to reinforce our case and are hopeful that the Commission will agree with us that something has to be done now to ensure that consumers benefit from a competitive and diverse grocery market in the future.
“We pressed the Commission to do more to analyse the distortions caused by the supermarkets’ buyer power on growth and competitiveness in the wider grocery market.
“The Competition Commission is now in no doubt that we strongly reject any view that competition in the grocery market is solely about choice between large format supermarkets. Individuals shop in different ways and a healthy and sustainable market provides consumers with diversity and choice. We are confident that the Commission will agree with us on this crucial point.”
James Lowman continued: “The Commission’s next announcement, expected in September, is critically important to the future of a diverse grocery market that serves the needs of all consumers. There is a still a lot of work to be done, and ACS remains focused on leading our sector to a more level playing field.”
Contact:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
ACS
01252 515001 / 07921 372978
Rachel Lawson Communications Co-ordinator
ACS
01252 515001
Notes to Editors:
1. ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. ACS’ submissions to the CC hearings are available on the Competition Commission’s Grocery Market Inquiry homepage: http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/ref2006/grocery/index.htm
3. ACS has worked with colleagues from the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, the Scottish Grocers Federation and the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association in making its case for a fairer grocery market.