1 July, 2008 – Tesco announced it will challenge the UK Competition Commission's recommendation for a two year inquiry for a 'competition assessment'.
The UK's largest supermarket has gone on the attack after the body said there should be a competition test, which requires local authorities to take into account which retailers already have a presence in their areas when considering planning applications for new outlets.
Tesco, which has more stores than its rivals in the UK, potentially has most to lose from the probe which could end up stopping it gaining access to new sites.
The company said the rule would add another layer of bureaucracy to the already complicated planning system and would hurt the entire supermarket sector
The commission will respond to Tesco’s appeal by the middle of August.