Superstores killing the community
A report published by the National Retail Planning Forum shows that the opening of a superstore costs, on average, a net 276 local jobs, as independent grocers, village shops, newsagents, milk rounds and pharmacists are closed down in droves.
Also, in November 2001, after an investigation by the Competition Commission had found, among other things, that the chains 'adversely affect the competitiveness of some of their suppliers with the result that the suppliers are likely to invest and spend less on new products and innovation, leading to lower quality and less consumer choice' a code of practice was introduced.
It turned out to have been watered down, from the draft version, by the Department of Trade and Industry after the government had consulted with the supermarkets but, according to England's National Farmers Union, 'virtually excluded' everyone else. In the opinion of the Soil Association, indeed, the code was so watered down 'it simply legitimises the worst practices of the supermarkets' ... more.
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