No proof for quango, say BRC

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No proof for quango, say BRC

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The British Retail Consortium (BRC) have criticised the Competition Commission’s recommendations for an ombudsman to rule on supplier-retailer relationships, describing it as a “pointless quango”.

The BRC said that the Commission could introduce an ombudsman for direct supplier-retailer relationships, but stressed that it would generate unnecessary bureaucracy in the case of farmers who supply via intermediaries.

Stephen Robertson, director general of the BRC, said: “with retailers battling to keep food prices down, this is entirely the wrong time to be thinking about introducing a pointless new multi-million pound quango which will ultimately be paid for by cash-strapped customers.”

“This is unjustifiable pandering to supplier pressure groups,” said Mr Robertson; “The Commission has not produced any evidence to show systematic failure in supermarket’s relationships with suppliers. The Commission did not find suppliers in fear of retaliation.”