The number of customers regularly buying non-food items from supermarkets has risen 40 per cent in the past five years.

Figures from research agency Verdict revealed that 28 million shoppers are regularly buying clothes, electricals and furniture from grocery retailers. The results have highlighted the buying power of the supermarket giants, which are increasingly attracting customers to their low-price non-food offers.

Yesterday, hundreds of small shopkeepers marched on Parliament protesting at what they believe to be the Government’s neglect of the high street.

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