// Mars, the owner of Whiskas, Dreamies and Pedigree products have paused supplies to Tesco as a fresh feud over pricing kicks off
// Suppliers are trying to pass on rising costs to supermarkets, which in turn are trying to limit the amount they pass on to shoppers as the cost-of-living crisis continues
Mars, the owner of pet food brands Whiskas, Dreamies and Pedigree have paused supplies to Tesco in a new pricing row.
Supplies of some of the brands owned by US group were running low in stores and online in the UK’s biggest supermarket’s second fall out with a major supplier in a fortnight, and although Mars’ chocolate and confectionery products are not affected by the dispute IAMS, Sheba and Crave have also been axed.
Just last week the country’s largest supermarket faced shortages of Heinz baked beans and ketchup after the US ketchup maker paused supplies amid a price increase row.
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A Tesco spokesperson said: “We’re laser-focused on keeping the cost of the weekly shop in check, offering customers great value through our combination of Aldi Price Match, Low Everyday Prices and Clubcard Prices.
“With household budgets under increasing pressure, now more than ever we have a responsibility to ensure customers get the best possible value, and we will not pass on unjustifiable price increases to our customers.
Suppliers are trying to pass on rising costs to supermarkets, which in turn are trying to limit the amount they have to pass on to customers.
A spokesperson for Mars said the company wanted to reassure pet owners that its products were “widely available” in the UK although some products were out of stock at Tesco. “We cannot comment on individual commercial relationships or situations,” the spokesperson added.
According to the Guardian, industry insiders say Tesco is attempting to leverage its muscle as the UK’s largest retailer to head off price rises from suppliers which are being implemented across the industry as a result of increases in the cost of energy, fuel, labour, packaging and raw ingredients as inflation surges.
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