The Competition Commission has found insufficient evidence that certain supermarket chains were contravening the Competition Act, but was concerned about their insistence on exclusive long-term leases in shopping malls.

"The investigation revealed that there was insufficient evidence to show contraventions in terms of the Competition Act pertaining to abuse of buyer power, category management and information exchange," the commission said yesterday.

But it remained concerned about "long-term exclusive leases" which may amount to a contravention of the Competition Act.

The investigation probe came in response to complaints about rising food prices, and looked into practices at Pick n Pay, Shoprite/Checkers, Woolworths and Spar, as well as wholesale retailers Massmart and Metcash, for alleged contraventions of the Act.

Source: Sapa