The NFRN statement says: The NFRN has today (October 24) expressed disappointment but not surprise at the news that the Competition Appeal Tribunal has dismissed its joint Appeal with the Association of Convenience Stores following the Office of Fair Trading’s decision, on prioritisation grounds, not to conduct a short update review of the newspaper and magazine distribution industry.
NFRN National President Alan Smith (pictured) said: “For more than 20 years, the NFRN has been campaigning for a better trading environment for its members, in the face of wholesale monopoly, fixed prices, deteriorating margins, escalating carriage charges and poor service without adequate redress. Sadly, as most of these issues don’t impact visibly on consumers, the competition authorities couldn’t care less. So far as the OFT is concerned, so long as the news industry supply chain is keeping supermarkets and large multiples happy, through sales-based replenishment, they describe independents as “residual” retailers, apparently unconcerned as to whether they survive or not.”
Mr Smith continued: “While the lack of support from the competition authorities is frustrating, it is predictable and for that reason we have ensured that our competition campaign has only been a relatively small part of our overall agenda to improve the lot of our members. It is for this reason the NFRN swung into action two years ago with its NFRN Newspro initiative and subsequently to greatly enhance the commercial activity within the Federation, all designed to enhance and improve the profitability of our members’ businesses on an ongoing basis.”
NFRN Chief Executive Paul Baxter added: “Despite what the OFT may think, the independent retail newsagent will continue to have a vital role to play in this industry for many years to come. Our challenge therefore is far from over and we will continue to campaign for change and improved service from our publishers and wholesalers to ensure independent retailers enjoy both fairness and equality in serving their customers. It is the NFRN’s raison d’être to help its members to deliver just that, and it is where our ongoing focus will be.”
