Cost control is something to be proud of

By: Dean Best - 26 August 2009 17:18

Waitrose has become the latest UK retailer to pledge its support for the country's farmers with news that it will stock "100% own-label British dairy".

Retailers like to show they are supporting their supply base and, here in the UK at least, programmes to support local suppliers goes down well with consumers.

Morrisons, for one, has made a big play out of its claim that all fresh beef, lamb, pork and poultry are 100% "British sourced".

Waitrose was no different with a spokesperson telling us today (26 August) that the retailer is "proud to commit to British farmers".

However, the spokesperson clammed up when we suggested that, with the weakness of the pound, there may have been a cost element to Waitrose's decision to rely less on imports.

Strange. Cost control is also something of which to be proud and, if Waitrose has managed to keep a lid on costs and help UK farmers, then well done. Pints of milk all round!