Various new measures designed to improve choice for consumers and curb the power of major supermarkets have just been announced by the UK’s Competition Commission. 

Among the measures announced is the appointment of a new independent ombudsman for resolving any disputes arising between suppliers and retailers. Recommended changes envisaged in the planning system will also make it tougher for one chain to totally dominate a local area.

The measures come at the end of a couple of years of investigation into the country’s supermarket sector. The supermarket ombudsman will oversee implementation of a stronger code of practice, which will cover all grocery retailers having a turnover over £1bn. It will investigate any complaints from suppliers against supermarkets.

The Competition Commission has recommended that it should enjoy the power for levying significant financial penalties on retailers if they fail to comply with the ombudsman’s findings. Importantly from suppliers’ point of view, it will accept confidential information about retailers from producers and suppliers.

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