?I didn't know that there was a Competition Commission investigation going on, but the supermarket chains definitely have too big an advantage. Their buying power is simply too much. Even the major suppliers are falling over themselves trying to please the supermarkets. Any corner shop should tell you this. Even though we all know this, if someone asked me to provide evidence, I couldn't. It is not the sort of thing that is written down on paper. But it would be very hard for me to take time to answer an inquiry if someone asked me, since it is just myself and my wife running the business. Still, it could be helpful if many people speak up, but just one or a few voices will not change anything."



It's too late now... Athkar Mohinder Athkar Wine Store, South Shields Off-licence, 600 sq ft





?The big supermarkets have too much buying power and they can offer customers far more variety and choice than we can. We cannot compete with them. I don't know anything about an investigation, but if there is one I would want to testify. I would like to explain to them what is going on for us smaller stores in this business. It is just me alone running my business, but I am well organised, I have all my records. I would be able to tell them anything they need to know. But the thing is that it is too late. The supermarkets are everywhere now. They keep getting bigger and they keep spreading everywhere. I don't think anything can change that now."



It isn't just up to us Sivad Rajin Ray's Stores, Hartlepool Convenience store, 800 sq ft





?The supermarkets can undercut the price of any and all products we sell in independent stores. They want to clear out all the corner shops. That is exactly what they aim to do and they are succeeding. Nobody has told me anything about any investigation going on. I think it might help if all the retailers get involved in this Competition Commission inquiry into the grocery industry and speak up. It also depends on how the people investigating decide to respond to the problems that are there. It isn't just up to us. If someone asked me to provide information, I do have it, but the problem is time. I don't have any help and the customers must always come first. That is what convenience is about."