COMPETITION COMMISSION BACKS UK RETAILERS

The Competition Commission says UK supermarkets have done no wrong by selling alcohol below cost. The Commission’s 18-month inquiry states “below-cost selling by national retailers is not part of a predatory strategy aimed at Convenience Stores or specialist stores and is not having significant unintended effects on smaller stores.” But what about suppliers?The Government will stage its own inquiry into alcohol pricing and promotions beginning in October and ending April 2008.“Small retailers and suppliers are being squeezed out because of