The patterns and implications of increasing concentration in European food retailing

Across the European Union, concentration in food retailing at the national level has been increasing for some time, but increasingly multinational retailers have been extending their international reach. In the process, aggregate concentration has risen sharply over the last few years. In addition, the presence of buyer groups, representing different retail interests, adds to the characterisation of procurement markets as highly concentrated. Also at the aggregate level, cross-border buyer alliances amongst large retailers have emerged. We consider the implications of these features for the changing patterns of retail competition and the impact on food producers, supplier competition and economic welfare.