Supermarkets not passing on low prices

24 September 1998

Supermarkets ‘not passing on low prices’

BRITAINS supermarkets have been accused of overcharging their customers by failing to pass on the discounts they can squeeze out of suppliers in the form of lower prices.

A report commissioned by the Office of Fair Trading into the buying power of leading British retailers found their profit margins were higher than in America and Europe.

It also showed that their grip was intensifying, “suggesting that retailers are able to retain the benefits from their increased bargaining power rather than passing them to consumers.”.

• “UK supermarkets rip off customers” – OFT, FWi, yesterday (23 September, 1998)
• The Times 24/09/98 page 7
  
• The Independent 24/09/98 page 4
  
• Financial Times 24/09/98 page 1, page 22 (Lex)
  
• The Guardian 24/09/98 page 26
  
• The Daily Telegraph 24/09/98 page 17, page 31 (Editorial)
  
• The Herald 24/09/98 page 17