Are suppliers losing patience with UK retail sector? The constant pressure to reduce prices has driven grower returns into the ground. Some are now wondering whether it's all worth it

摘要

THE UK market is in danger of losing its appeal for producers and exporters from overseas because of the impact of supermarkets' constant pressure to reduce costs, according to Alan McCutchion, president of the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC). Openingthe Re:fresh conference held in London in May, his opening address encapsulated many of the fears being felt by the industry, and highlighted this feeling of frustration that the current Code of Practice established by government to ensure "reasonableness" in trading was having little effect. While companies now have the opportunity to publicly challenge their supermarket customers, few if any have done so for fear of losing business. Even the presence of Bob MacDowall from the Markets and Policy Initiatives Division of the Office of Fair Trading failed to raise any major debate.