FPB calls for Tesco inquiry

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has called for a Government inquiry into the supermarkets' domination of the retail market. The move was prompted by Tesco's launch of its first non-food store at Denton in Greater Manchester last week.

It is feared that Tesco's Home Plus format could force a swathe of smaller businesses to close. FPB chief executive Nick Goulding said: 'The move by Tesco to launch its first non-food store will immediately imperil independent clothes, hardware, home furnishing and electrical shops. To protect these businesses' livelihoods, there needs to be another Competition Commission inquiry.'

Frank Wilkinson, the managing director of an independent clothing shop near Tesco Home Plus, said: 'Tesco Home Plus will be in direct competition with us and that is a major concern with the landbank of sites it has. It may be inevitable that Tesco has opened this type of store but that doesn't mean the Government should just roll over and let it happen.'