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Supermarket Regulator

That is an easy question: the answer is no, not as far as I am aware. It is a unique form of domination. As hon. Members have noted this evening, the relationship between the dominant supermarket, Tesco, and the suppliers is a source of concern. In today’s Financial Times, it is reported that supermarkets rely on their suppliers for free finance to fuel their growth. An investigation into the accounts of supermarkets in today’s paper shows that the amount owed to Tesco’s creditors has risen by £2.2 billion in the past five years, compared with a £700 million increase in stocks, giving Tesco £1.15 billion to help to fund its business. There are no written contracts between supermarkets and suppliers, which means that supermarkets have the power to refuse stock at their convenience. Those in the bakery industry have suffered especially greatly.