Iceland Foods executive chairman Richard Walker has urged the CMA to get on with deciding whether or not to rein in Aldi and Lidl.
The CMA was due to publish a decision on whether Aldi and Lidl should have to follow the same land competition rules as other supermarkets in July, but had yet to do so as the end of the month neared.
“It needs to publish its findings as promised so the sector can get on and deliver more competition for consumers and growth for the economy,” Walker told The Grocer. “It isn’t rocket science.”
Walker has been a vocal campaigner against Aldi and Lidl’s exemption from rules that ban other major supermarkets from using clauses in land deals to block competition.
Since 2010, seven of the UK’s biggest grocers – Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Co-op, M&S and Waitrose – have been banned from having restrictive covenants in land deals, which are used to block rivals from opening stores nearby.
Aldi and Lidl are not covered by the rules because they were not considered ‘large grocery retailers’ when the 2010 Controlled Land Order was drawn up. Iceland is also exempt as a frozen food retailer.
The CMA began reviewing the rules in spring 2025 after pressure from supermarket bosses. In March this year, having already pushed back the conclusion of its review by several months, the CMA launched a consultation on whether to designate Aldi and Lidl under the Order, setting July as the month it would publish its provisional decision.
Asked if the decision should still be expected in July, the CMA did not provide an update or further details.
Walker said: “Getting things done is the mantra of the moment in government, but it seems the CMA haven’t got the memo.”
The consultation closed for comments in April, and in May the CMA published responses from Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Iceland, in which they demanded Aldi and Lidl be added to the Order. Sainsbury’s said competition was being “distorted” by Aldi and Lidl’s ability “to restrict entry and expansion by competitor grocery retailers in local markets”.
Aldi has argued it remains distinct from the other supermarkets as a limited assortment discounter, thanks to its smaller range.
Both discounters have pointed out they are fully compliant with the law.
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