The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says it has taken action to protect shoppers by securing agreements from Sainsbury’s and Asda to stop using unlawful anti-competitive land agreements.
The CMA found that the supermarket giants breached the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010, which was brought in to stop supermarkets imposing new restrictions that stop rivals from opening competing stores nearby.
The breaches were found relating to Asda stores in: Dyce Shopping Centre in Aberdeen (on five separate occasions); Stenhousemuir (on five separate occasions); Inverness; and Falkirk. None of Sainsbury’s breaches of the order were in Scotland.
Sainsbury’s has agreed to remove the outstanding restrictions the CMA identified from its land agreements to become compliant with the Order. In addition, the restrictions identified within Asda’s land agreements have now been removed. The CMA has also written to both parties outlining the breaches and the action agreed to prevent further breaches.
David Stewart, Executive Director, Markets and Mergers at the CMA said: “Restrictions of this nature are against the law, cause real harm to shoppers and will not be tolerated. This is particularly important at a time when many families are struggling to pay their weekly grocery bills.
“With families under increasing pressure, it is even more critical that competition between supermarkets is helping people to get the best deal.
“This enforcement action today is part of our wider action to tackle the cost of living and ensure that families really benefit from more competition.”
