Washington, DC – The National Grocers Association, the national trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, issued the following statement today in response to the Federal Trade Commission’s settlement of the Southern Glazer case: 

“This settlement is an important demonstration of why enforcement of the Robinson-Patman Act matters for small and independent businesses. The principles at the heart of this case extend well beyond a single industry. Independent grocers continue to face significant disparities in the prices and terms available to them compared with the nation’s largest retailers. Strong and consistent enforcement of the nation’s antitrust laws is critical to ensuring a fair and competitive marketplace for independent businesses and the communities and consumers they serve.

NGA’s advocacy has helped drive the strongest focus on antitrust and competition policy in decades, building significant momentum in Washington, D.C., and across the country around the need for a fair and competitive grocery marketplace. NGA looks forward to building on that momentum and working with policymakers and antitrust enforcers to support fair competition and policies that help ensure independent grocers can continue serving communities across the country.”

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About the National Grocers Association

NGA is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale community grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector is accountable for about 1.2 percent of the nation’s overall economy and is responsible for generating more than $250 billion in sales, 1.1 million jobs, $39 billion in wages and $36 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers located in every congressional district across the country, as well as state grocers’ associations, manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about NGA, visit www.nationalgrocers.org.