Waitrose has been accused of stifling competition after it admitted to signing deals which blocked other supermarkets from setting up shop nearby.
The John Lewis-owned firm agreed property contracts which prohibited rival stores to open in close proximity in at least seven locations including in Notting Hill, the competition regulator has said, breaching a ruling which banned the practice in 2010.
The ruling gave consumers more choice and allowed them to have access to cheaper prices, according to the Competition and Markets Authority.
Adam Land, Senior Director of Remedies at the CMA, said: “It’s disappointing that Waitrose has acted against the interests of shoppers, despite these rules having been in place for over 10 years.
“Families across the UK are facing the rising cost of living. Preventing other supermarkets from opening new stores could stop people saving on their weekly shop.”
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