The supermarket sector is finding itself under attack from all sides, and not only from what seems a likely re-opening of its OFT wounds.
Farmers groups, lobby bodies and even the Women’s Institute have all waded into the fray this week, with some calling on consumers to boycott the supermarkets.
The news also follows criticism of the sector from Asda boss Andy Bond, who branded grocery shopping as “boring”.
As FPJ went to press, the National Farmers’ Union of Scotland launched a three-day strike, withholding produce from retailers to protest at what it described as unsustainable farmgate prices.
Meanwhile, another farming pressure group, Farmers For Action (FFA) was also holding a series of strikes and is threatening further, similar action before Christmas. A spokesman for the group said the action, involving around 2,500 farmers, was designed to put pressure on retailers to ensure primary producers “get a reasonable return for their product”.
They are calling for all producers to back them: “Alongside this action all food producers in the UK, be it livestock, vegetables, whatever, are also being asked to withhold their produce from the marketplace for the three days,” said FFA
NFUS president, John Kinnaird, said: “Farmers are now saying enough is enough. If supermarkets want to continue to increase their margins at farmers’ expense, they could destroy much of our local food industry.”
Farmers are not alone in calling for unified action. Pressure group the Countryside Alliance is calling on consumers to boycott the supermarkets in favour of buying locally. And members of the Cornish branch of the Women’s Institute have also launched a boycott of out-of-town superstores, urging WI consumers to return to shopping at village stores
