The battle for an official investigation into the grocery multiple retail sector may have moved one step closer to conclusion, with the OFT expected to announce the sector’s referral to the Competition Commission next week.

According to the Financial Times, the OFT pushed back the official decision, originally due in April, after its consultation period was extended to look at new submissions from supermarkets and pressure groups.

However, it is not thought that any new evidence has changed the stance in favour of a referral, held by OFT chief executive John Fingleton, the FT said.

Fingleton shocked the industry in March with an announcement in favour of an investigation just months after the organisation had ruled one out. His decision was based on the emergence of new evidence surrounding issues with supermarkets groups; land storage and planning consideration, according to the FT.

The watchdog is also said to have raised concerns over the effect of supermarkets’ practise on the convenience sector.

If the investigation goes ahead it will be the third time the sector has been under the spotlight since 1999.

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