Electricals retailer Comet has told suppliers they must pay up to £15,400 to have each of their product lines displayed on the shopfloor.

Comet commercial director Bob Darke wrote to suppliers last month to tell them Comet would be imposing the new charges from January 1, according to the Financial Times.

In the letter, Darke blamed the action on a tough retail market, and said the company would be asking for a listing fee for every line stocked in stores, plus a 2 per cent discount on invoices and a 0.5 per cent fee for sales and stock data.

This could lead to costs of£5,504 for small items such as a toaster. White goods, such as washing machines, could cost suppliers£15,431.

A source close to the company said Comet is not receiving listing fees on all its items.

It is believed many large manufacturers and some smaller ones had refused the new terms.

One supplier said the “size and scale of what Comet is demanding is unusual. It is outrageous".

Comet said it would not comment on agreed terms and conditions.

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