Britain to Review Supermarket Merger

Date: 1 Apr 2003 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In March, British officials launched an inquiry to examine the competitive impacts of a merger between two of the country’s top supermarket chains. The findings could derail attempts by Britain’s top three and number five chains—Tesco, Sainsbury, Wal-Mart-owned Asda, and Morrison—to purchase the fourth largest grocery chain, Safeway.… Read More

Mexico Imposes Code of Conduct on Wal-Mart

Date: 1 Apr 2003 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

After a ten-month investigation of Wal-Mart, Mexican antitrust officials have imposed a code of conduct on the company and other large supermarket chains. The Mexican Federal Competition Commission (CFC) launched the investigation last May to determine whether Wal-Mart was using its market power to pressure suppliers into providing prices substantially lower than those available to other retailers (after accounting for reasonable volume discounts). … Read More

Puerto Rico Okays Wal-Mart Acquisition

Date: 1 Apr 2003 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Small business owners are crying foul over an agreement reached between the Puerto Rican government and Wal-Mart. The deal allows Wal-Mart to proceed with its purchase of an island supermarket chain, which will give it control of 40 percent of Puerto Rico’s grocery sales. Last year Wal-Mart won approval from the Federal Trade Commission to purchase the Amigo supermarket chain. Puerto Rican officials said the deal violated local antitrust laws and sued to block the merger. … Read More

Supermarket Concentration Harms Farmers and Consumers

Date: 1 Feb 2003 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Supermarket chains in the northeast are using their market power to reap record profits on milk at the expense of both dairy farmers and consumers, according to a new report. The findings are fueling legislative efforts in several New England states to rein in the power of grocery chains. One proposal in Maine would tax big box retailers to support dairy farms.… Read More

Wal-Mart’s Purchase of Puerto Rico Chain Challenged

Date: 1 Feb 2003 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Puerto Rico’s Department of Justice has asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit to block Wal-Mart’s acquisition of the island’s largest grocery store chain, Supermercados Amigo Inc. The outcome of the case could affect the ability of states to review and challenge mergers. Wal-Mart already operates 19 outlets in Puerto Rico, including eight Sam’s Club stores and one supercenter. … Read More

Puerto Rico Challenges Wal-mart Acquisition

Date: 1 Nov 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

A broad coalition has coalesced in Puerto Rico to block an attempt by Wal-Mart to buy Supermercados Amigo, the island’s largest supermarket chain. The deal would give the retailer, which already has $1.16 billion in sales at 19 Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores, a 40 percent share of Puerto Rico’s grocery sales.… Read More

Alaska Governor Chides Safeway Over Switch to Starbucks

Date: 2 Mar 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Less than a month after announcing it would replace locally roasted coffee with Starbucks at its Alaska stores, the Safeway supermarket chain is backing down. A barrage of protest from angry residents and a strongly worded letter from Governor Tony Knowles forced the retailer to reconsider its decision to eliminate two Anchorage roasters in favor of Starbucks at its in-store coffee bars. … Read More

New Code Won’t Break British Chains’ Armlock on Farmers

Date: 2 Mar 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

British farmers and environmentalists are irate over the government’s new regulations governing the way major supermarket chains deal with their suppliers. The binding Code of Practice was issued in November after an extensive study found that the major supermarket chains routinely use their market power to squeeze farmers, undermine competition, and harm the public interest. … Read More