Supermarket bosses summoned by MPs to be quizzed over merger plan

THE chief executives of Sainsbury’s and Asda have been summoned before MPs to answer questions on how the supermarkets’ proposed £12bn merger will impact farmers, suppliers and consumers.

Mike Coupe of Sainsbury’s (right) and Asda’s Roger Burnley will appear before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee on June 20, with the treatment of suppliers to be a focus of the grilling.

Neil Parish MP, chair of the committee, said: “Grocery retailers do not have a great record of treating their suppliers well, and some of them

are cautious about the proposed Sainsbury’s and Asda merger.”

He added: “My committee is holding this session to investigate how the biggest potential shake-up of the grocery market in recent years could affect British farmers and suppliers, as well as consumers.”

Sainsbury’s has 14 stores in Northern Ireland, while Asda has 17.