ACS

ACS has called on the Competition Commission to end its slow moving and wholly ineffective consultation on the creation of a Grocery Market Ombudsman.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “In the week of the anniversary of the conclusion of the Grocery Inquiry we still await the implementation of any of the Competition Commission’s recommendations. In a year that has been characterised by delay and confusion the Commission has been shown to be ineffective in delivering on its recommendations.

“The Grocery Inquiry report stated that an Ombudsman was necessary to deliver a fairer grocery market that worked in the better interest of consumers. That remains ever more the case in this time of recession. We are calling on the Commission to act now to end the pointless negotiations over a voluntary agreement.

“Now is the time for Ministers to step in and deliver a compulsory solution.”

The Competition Commission has published a formal consultation on the draft undertakings for a Grocery Ombudsman. These would require a voluntary agreement from affected grocery retailers to be put in place. As it stands many of the companies that are asked to do so have made clear that they do not intend to submit themselves voluntarily.