Say no to monster supermarkets
Posted by Joelle
January 11, 2008
Permalink
Those of you who share our belief in the goodness of supporting local shops will be puzzled and disappointed at the findings by the UK’s Competition Commission’s investigation into grocery shopping. Stangely, they recommend that we should have weaker planning laws and more big supermarkets, saying this will improve choice and competition. But hello! They seem to be thinking of competition between supermarket chains and to have forgotten the humble high street, and the local independent shops who are struggling to survive.
Friends of the Earth are campaigning on the issue, and are asking people to write to their local MPs and to the Competition Commission to voice concern, via their campaign page here. I did, and it only took about two minutes.
Read more:
New Economics Foundation response
Friends of the Earth campaign
And wherever you are, remember to vote with your feet and shop local as much as you can.
6 comments Categories: challenge, shopping
January 11th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
I definitely agree! Shopping local is already difficult enough without more supermarkets squeezing the little guys out.
I also love the concept of voting with my feet – imagine if democracy hinged on us being able to tick a box with our toes.
January 11th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
That’s my two electronic cents sent.
January 11th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Sent! :)
January 11th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Done
January 11th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Jolly good!
January 12th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I received a reply from my local MP saying he will not be signing the EDM as he does not believe in the needs test, he believes in competition and does not see why a shop who does not look after their customers should be protected from competition.