ACS

ACS has refuted Tesco’s claims that the Competition Commission’s proposed remedies on planning will be unduly costly to the industry.

Tesco has reportedly stated in its final submission in the Competition Commission inquiry into the Grocery Market that the proposed changes to Britain's supermarkets planning system will cost the industry almost £190m.

ACS Chief Executive, James Lowman said: “Tesco would like to have Carte Blanch to develop sites against the interests of local people.”
Tesco also stated that the controversial introduction of an ombudsman to oversee relations with suppliers will further add to the estimated cost, with shoppers having to pay for the increased bureaucracy.

James Lowman continued: “The changes to the planning system as proposed by the Competition Commission will go some way to reducing supermarket monopolies that are occurring in the UK.

“The changes proposed will benefit consumers through more choice in their local town centre. But the Commission has been too timid, and has not addressed the fundamental problems of buyer power that undermine choice and competition in the market”.