ISME welcomes backing for ban on below-cost selling

Small business group ISME has welcomed a recommendation to keep a ban on below-cost selling in supermarkets.

The Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise has told the Government that the Groceries Order and a size limit on food stores should be retained.

Larger foreign and domestic retailers have argued against the restrictions.

But Mark Fielding of ISME argued they benefit consumers saying: "In the long run it will be good news for the consumer because they will have more choice. When the large stores arrive on the scene it's good for about six months to a year and then they just wipe out competition".