ACS Welcomes Constructive Remedies Debate
13 Dec 2007
ACS has taken part in a third hearing before the Competition Commission as part of their grocery market Inquiry. ACS is a main party to the Inquiry and working with colleagues in the Federation of Wholesale Distributors and others, has led the case for the small shop sector.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: "At every stage of this process we have provided a detailed and considered case about the competition problems in the UK grocery market. In our hearing we had the opportunity to make our case about how and why we oppose parts of their Provisional Findings, not least the Commission’s continued reliance on inappropriate data to describe trends in the convenience store sector. The Commissioners can be in no doubt about the extent of our concerns.
"In discussing remedies related to planning, we urged the Competition Commission not to propose measures that will weaken town centre first planning policy and entrench the dominant position of the Big Four. On the Supermarket Code of Practice, we encouraged the Commission to be bold in tackling incidents where retailers abuse their market power in their dealings with suppliers."
ACS is continuing to work with the Commission on the last and crucial stage of the inquiry, and further evidence will be submitted following the hearing.
Contacts:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978
Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001
Michael Saxton/ Julie Kirby Grappa PR
020 7602 9222
Notes to Editors:
1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,000 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.
2. ACS is working with the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD), the Scottish Grocers Federation (SGF) and the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) in respect of the Competition Commission inquiry into the grocery market.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: "At every stage of this process we have provided a detailed and considered case about the competition problems in the UK grocery market. In our hearing we had the opportunity to make our case about how and why we oppose parts of their Provisional Findings, not least the Commission’s continued reliance on inappropriate data to describe trends in the convenience store sector. The Commissioners can be in no doubt about the extent of our concerns.
"In discussing remedies related to planning, we urged the Competition Commission not to propose measures that will weaken town centre first planning policy and entrench the dominant position of the Big Four. On the Supermarket Code of Practice, we encouraged the Commission to be bold in tackling incidents where retailers abuse their market power in their dealings with suppliers."
ACS is continuing to work with the Commission on the last and crucial stage of the inquiry, and further evidence will be submitted following the hearing.
Contacts:
Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978
Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001
Michael Saxton/ Julie Kirby Grappa PR
020 7602 9222
Notes to Editors:
1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,000 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.
2. ACS is working with the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD), the Scottish Grocers Federation (SGF) and the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) in respect of the Competition Commission inquiry into the grocery market.