supermarkets

SUPERMARKET giants Coles and Woolworths have not yet responded to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, regarding claims they restrict competition by blocking rival supermarkets opening nearby. The ACCC uncovered the potential breaches of the Trades Practices Act as part of the 2008 grocery inquiry.

Coles has not responded to repeated requests by the ACCC, while Woolworths is referring its question to the National Retailers Association, a Woolies spokeswoman telling the AFR “We’re not going to be commenting and we’re referring all comment to the retailers’ association…because this is regarding retailers’ leases and there are many retailers.”