Supermarkets await competition report

THE LONG-AWAITED report into competition among the UK's supermarket chains is set to be published later today.

The Competition Commission investigation, which is likely to most affect the 'big four' supermarkets – Tesco, Leeds-based Asda, Sainsbury's and Bradford-based Morrisons, will suggest ways to remedy problems it has identified in the UK's grocery market.

Measures which are likely to be announced include forcing supermarkets to sell land to allow rivals to open stores in areas where there is not enough competition and calling in an ombudsman to protect food suppliers in any disputes with the big four supermarket chains.

The commission reported last October that there were aspects of the grocery market that prevented or restricted competition.

These included shoppers having too few large supermarkets to choose from in their locality and that some retailers hold on to land to prevent other names from launching premises in the area.