NFRN Chief Executive Paul Baxter wrote to trading standards on behalf of members whose shops are close to Waitrose stores explaining that their newspaper and other related sales had been decimated by the newspaper promotion.
In many of the responses, says the NFRN, trading standards personnel expressed concern at the negative effect the offer was having on independent retailers’ businesses but explained they could not act as the supermarket chain has a primary authority relationship with Bracknell Forest Trading Standards.
Now the NFRN is pressing for a meeting with Bracknell Forest to discuss members’ concerns in greater detail.
Mr Baxter said: “It is not the fact that Waitrose is carrying out a promotion that the NFRN objects to, nor that they are giving away newspapers (albeit that free newspapers devalues the paid for copy), it is the fact that publishers are supporting an initiative that is not available to independent newsagents, whilst at the same time damaging their sales. This is not fair competition and we hope that Trading Standards see this as such”.
