A voluntary Code of Practice for the newspaper and magazine distribution industry would have no value to independent retailers, says a trade body.
The Association of News Retailing (ANR) has said that it would not support such a Code, which has been suggested by publishers, wholesalers and some retail trade associations as a response to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) investigation into the news industry.
With the OFT expected to report in late summer, proponents of the voluntary scheme say self-regulation and self-monitoring work well in other markets.
However, ANR managing director John Lennon said: "The codes used in other industries are not voluntary; they are all legally underpinned and carry meaningful penalties for lack of compliance.
"If publishers and wholesalers are serious about a full industry partnership, they must listen to retailer concerns and not just pay lip service to them whenever the OFT conducts one of its reviews."
The Association of News Retailing (ANR) has said that it would not support such a Code, which has been suggested by publishers, wholesalers and some retail trade associations as a response to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) investigation into the news industry.
With the OFT expected to report in late summer, proponents of the voluntary scheme say self-regulation and self-monitoring work well in other markets.
However, ANR managing director John Lennon said: "The codes used in other industries are not voluntary; they are all legally underpinned and carry meaningful penalties for lack of compliance.
"If publishers and wholesalers are serious about a full industry partnership, they must listen to retailer concerns and not just pay lip service to them whenever the OFT conducts one of its reviews."
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