Newsagents call for inquiry
Independent newsagents are asking the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to consider referring the market for the supply of newspapers and magazines to the Competition Commission (CC) for investigation.
The National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) has made the request to the OFT.
The Herald reports that the UK wholesale magazine and newspaper market is dominated by three leading players - WH Smith, John Menzies and Dawson Holdings. Between them, they control around 85% of the market, and concerns have been expressed about whether this contravenes competition law.
The OFT can make a referral to the CC if it suspects the market has features that "prevent, restrict or distort competition".
The OFT says it is considering the NFRN's request in the light of this guidance.
