Is a Grocery Ombudsmen welcome?

Is it good news for consumers as the government accepts the Competition Commission's proprosal that a body be created to oversee grocer-supplier relationships? According to an article in Retail Week, Consumer Minister Kevin Brennan is taking the line that  free and fair competition ensures that consumers are getting the best deal in the market. The British Retail Consortium, however has strongly announced it's concerns that it may create the opposite effect, and warns that consumers would be faced with "a costly new democracy".

Contradicting the BRC's  response are reports saying that small grocers support this move,  as  do the Scottish Grocers Federation. The SCF Chief Exective John Drummond said "I hope this announcement will introduce a culture change within the major supermarkets and an acknowledgment that they must be open and transparent in their supplier dealings."