NFRN goes to Trading Standards over Waitrose newspaper promotion

The NFRN has gone to Trading Standards over a Waitrose promotion that offers shoppers a free newspaper if they spend more than £5.

The offer had “decimated” sales at indies close to Waitrose stores, claimed the NFRN, adding that it had received “many responses” from Trading Standards across the country but could not act because Waitrose’s primary authority was Bracknell Forest Trading Standards. It is now pressing for a meeting with the authority.

“Publishers are supporting an initiative that is not available to independent newsagents, while at the same time damaging their sales,” said NFRN chief executive Paul Baxter. “This is not fair competition.”