The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed the further extension of the timetable for the Competition Commission to publish its final report in the grocery market inquiry, from March to April 2008.
The Commission started the Inquiry expecting to publish its final report by October 2007. This has since been moved back a number of times. The Commission is under a statutory obligation to publish its findings by May 8, 2008.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “From the outset we have told the Commission that their self imposed deadline was ambitious and unhelpful. We welcome this latest delay, because there remain a number of issues that the Commission has to work through, especially their provisional finding that the trend in store numbers in the convenience market may be on the increase. We have submitted a strong rebuttal and significant new evidence on this and other issues. We are glad that the Commission will have more time to consider them.
“We also expect the Commission to decide on remedies that will make a difference to the grocery market. To assist them we continue to provide information and assistance to the Inquiry as they develop their view in this area,” said Lowman.
