New supermarkets are put on hold

Tuesday 11th September 2007, 12:00AM BST.

SEVERAL national supermarket chains waiting to set up shop in Jersey have had their applications put on ice pending a competition watchdog report.

No new supermarkets will be allowed into the Island until the review by the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority has been completed by the end of the year. Economic Development Minister Philip Ozouf has put several applications from UK supermarket chains on hold until a report on the effects on existing traders is complete. It is understood that at least one of the applications in the pipeline is from a French supermarket. Both Tesco and Carrefour International, two of the chains believed to be interested in setting up in the Island, have declined to comment on whether they have made applications to the Regulation of Undertakings office to employ staff here.

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