A price disagreement has broken out between supermarket giant Tesco and pet food supplier Mars. Coming hard on the heels of the pricing dispute with Kraft Heinz over some of their products, it leaves some more empty shelves across the retail chain.
This dispute over price hikes comes after prices have been increasing across the Mars range, with pet owner favourite Whiskas 12-pack, for example, up an astonishing 36%. With the rising cost of living and increases in wages, packaging, freight and production, retailers and suppliers are fighting to retain customers and protect profit.
Six Mars pet food brands, including Whiskas, Dreamies and Pedigree, are now missing from the supermarket shelves as Mars stopped supply to the national supermarket chain. Their absence is due to the retail chain and Mars pricing dispute.
Pricing disputes are typically behind closed doors and usually resolved well before empty shelves are noticed by consumers.
Mars has reassured pet owners that their favourite products are in supply and are available across the UK. They would not comment on the out-of-stocks at Tesco.
"With household budgets under increasing pressure, now more than ever, we have a responsibility to ensure customers get the best possible value," said a Tesco spokesperson.
Tesco has said they refuse to pass on "unjustifiable price increases to customers".
"We are sorry that this means some products aren't available right now, but we have plenty of alternatives to choose from, and we hope to resolve this issue soon."
A situation to watch to see the compromise and how quickly they reach an agreement.
