Kentish apples will be making their way into Asda's Kent stores. They'll be sold in printed plastic bags with the logo "Local apples for local people". Buyers were initially sceptical that local producers could prove to be a reliable, sustainable source, but according to Rob Weaver of Kent County Council's Economic Development Unit, a trial involving local strawberries in three Kent stores last last year convinced them it was possible.
"This year all eleven Asda's have been selling local strawberries from June to October"
Budgen's new Hawkhurst store, which opens next month, is to follow suit and stock local apples.
The two largest retailers in the Irish Republic, Dunnes and Tesco, could potentially be heading for prosecution should it be proved thay are operating in breach of the Groceries Order.
Ailish Forde, director general of the independent lobby group RGDATA, claims that discounts of more than 50% on products such as SMA Progress, Milupa, Cow & Gate, Heinz Jars and Hippo Organic mean that the retailers were either flouting the Groceries Act or massively profiteering on the products.
Forde, who has asked the director of consumer affairs to investigate, added "The real losers if this sort of macho marketing is allowed to persist will be the suppliers, who are being squeezed by these dominant retailers, and consumers. All these two retailers are doing is trying to increase their dominance, halt competition and reduce consumer choice in the process".
