Suppliers hold little hope for the scales to tip in their favour as the OFT prepares to publish its findings on the investigation into the supermarkets code of practice.
An NFU spokeswoman said she was not hopeful about the findings, due as early as next week, despite the OFT having called for suppliers to speak out ahead of the May 31 deadline for further evidence. “We’ve had contact with many members who won’t submit evidence because they’re frightened.”
Romney Marsh Potato Company MD Terry Sleap spoke to the OFT just weeks ago regarding a dispute with Tesco. “The OFT just told me to talk to Tesco. They said the code is self-policing, but if it’s not enforceable, what’s the point in complaining?”
C John Smith, MD of mushroom packer Greyfriars, said it was time for more suppliers to start putting their heads above the parapet. “The OFT behaves like a watchdog rather than a bloodhound. Its enquiries should have been based on one-to-one meetings with suppliers, with no names going on the record. In a survey of 100 suppliers they’d have heard evidence from the horse’s mouth that they simply won’t get from this inquiry. It’s been a waste of time.”
Meanwhile, the All Party Small Shops Group of 150 MPs, which is investigating the centralisation of power in retail, is to start presenting evidence of unfair dominance to the OFT on October 11. “As more and more independents go out of business, it gets harder for wholesalers to effectively supply market areas,” said a spokesman.
An NFU spokeswoman said she was not hopeful about the findings, due as early as next week, despite the OFT having called for suppliers to speak out ahead of the May 31 deadline for further evidence. “We’ve had contact with many members who won’t submit evidence because they’re frightened.”
Romney Marsh Potato Company MD Terry Sleap spoke to the OFT just weeks ago regarding a dispute with Tesco. “The OFT just told me to talk to Tesco. They said the code is self-policing, but if it’s not enforceable, what’s the point in complaining?”
C John Smith, MD of mushroom packer Greyfriars, said it was time for more suppliers to start putting their heads above the parapet. “The OFT behaves like a watchdog rather than a bloodhound. Its enquiries should have been based on one-to-one meetings with suppliers, with no names going on the record. In a survey of 100 suppliers they’d have heard evidence from the horse’s mouth that they simply won’t get from this inquiry. It’s been a waste of time.”
Meanwhile, the All Party Small Shops Group of 150 MPs, which is investigating the centralisation of power in retail, is to start presenting evidence of unfair dominance to the OFT on October 11. “As more and more independents go out of business, it gets harder for wholesalers to effectively supply market areas,” said a spokesman.
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