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I am a bit disappointed that some retailers are looking at the future with cynicism and resignation as if it’s an end an era for the convenience sector. In my opinion the best thing that has happened is the consolidation in the market with the mults providing the scale and quality that has been lacking in our sector. Selling poor quality fruit and veg with nonexistence chill is no longer acceptable and yet people are banging on about being independent. The supply chain is shrinking due to the market being totally saturated. We have no choice but to evolve. I have pointed out many a time that the German discounters and now Amazon has left no choice but to consolidate. The mults may have their survival at stake and of course their market share too but we must not dwell too much on what they (mults) are getting out of this. It’s none of our business. What we should be concentrating on is the quality of supply chain that will future proof our survival. Nobody in the merger will dictate how you trade. You will still have a degree of choice in decision making and independence and so painting the doom and gloom scenario is looking rather ridiculous.

Arjan Mehr Londis Bracknell