Power and competition in the UK retail grocery market

The UK retail grocery market is widely recognized as being oligopolistic. This has raised concerns over the level and use of power by the leading retailers. This paper considers the changes in the UK retail grocery market in the context of a discussion of power. This discussion focuses on the possibility of a dominant chain arising in the market. Vertical and horizontal relationships and price and non-price competition form the organizing principles of the analysis. Policy implications are suggested and other conclusions are drawn.