Inverness Shows Danger of Tesco Market Dominance - Alexander

1.56.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 3rd Oct 2006

Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, Danny Alexander

Commenting on the increased profits announced by Tesco today, Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, Danny Alexander said: "While Tesco's profits reflect the success of their business, there are also reasons to be concerned about the consequences of increased market dominance by major supermarkets. Nowhere is this clearer than in Inverness, where Tesco has 51% of the retail market - the largest share anywhere in Britain.

"Such power will, in the long-run, reduce competition, impacting upon consumers, small retailers, farmers and other suppliers.

"In Inverness, we can see the impact that major out of town development has on the old town centre and small shops. We need to level the playing field so that diversity is retained and consumers can have real choice."