15 October 2007

Supermarkets In Coventry

Grocery markets across Europe are dominated by a handful of large supermarkets. We think we're bad with Asda, Saino's, Tesco and Morrisons accounting for three-quarters of all grocery sales (supermarkets + convenience stores). Finland is actually worst, with five companies making up over 90% of their grocery sector. This kind of dominance has led to less consumer choice and smaller players forced out of business.

One of Britain's two Green MEPs, Caroline Lucas, is putting what's called a "Written Declaration" before the European Parliament. She, and four other co-signing MEPs, are demanding that the EU Commission "examine whether supermarkets abuse their dominance, and propose tough new rules to protect rural economies and the environment." If half of all MEPs support it, it will become official policy of the European Parliament – and will be formally passed to the European Commission for action.

Will this get media coverage, compared with incessent calls for an EU referendum? C'mon, do newspapers want to lose all the supermarket advertising in their glossy weekend magazines?

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