More pressure on big retailers
Friends of the Earth has launched a campaign to get people to shun big supermarkets in favour of smaller, independents.

The Shop Local First campaign aims to promote the benefits of using independent retailers to consumers. Campaigners will work with local shopkeepers nationwide to develop special promotions, including discounts, loyalty cards and local shop directories.

According to Friends of the Earth, independent shops offer a more personal service and food is more likely to be locally produced. Small stores are also more energy efficient - it takes more than 60 greengrocers to match the carbon dioxide emissions from one average superstore.

The campaign is being launched ahead of the Competition Commission's final report into the dominance of the big supermarket chains.

Friends of the Earth supermarket campaigner Sandra Bell said: 'Popping into your local shop for a pint of milk will no longer be an option unless more shoppers change the way they shop. If we all shop local first, we can save our local shops, boost the local economy and help do our bit to tackle climate change.'

The environmental group claims that the growing power of the supermarkets is putting independent shops out of business, with more than 2,000 going out of business in 2004.

The main four chains control three quarters of the grocery market, Tesco alone has a 30 per cent share.

Tesco announced earlier this week that it plans to spend£100 million on sustainable environmental technology. Wind turbines will be installed at some stores alongside solar and geothermal power. The company will also be trialling gasification - a new technology to turn waste into clean, sustainable energy.

However, Friends of the Earth said: 'shopping locally is still a better option, especially if you leave the car at home and buy locally sourced food'.

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