The food retailers have been the best performing sector of the retail market in the last 3 years and that has been fully justified by the way that the market leaders, but particularly Tesco and Asda, have developed their offer.

Their price-competitive stance, backed with impressive product development (in foods as well as non-foods) has made them ideally placed to capitalise on a consumer which, while not short of cash, is certainly feeling under pressure. But success has led to a backlash, mainly from the retailers who have suffered from the success of the market leaders. So the Tesco, Sainsbury’s et al now have to fight not only for customers but a growing PR battle in the media and against some vocal action groups.