I found out a shocking fact about supermarkets when I spoke to a producer of poultry a few weeks ago:

When you see a buy-one-get-one-free offer, it is NOT the supermarket that pays for the free item. It is the supplier! Supermarkets routinely check the account books of their suppliers to check that they will survive, though they have little right to do this. The suppliers are over a barrel - if they refuse they lose the supermarket's custom.

Agricultural producers commonly have very small profit margins - 1% is not atypical. In such a market the supermarkets are EXPLOITING their suppliers. No wonder farmers are struggling! Never mind Fair Trade in the 3rd world, it isn't fair in the UK.

Supermarkets are EVIL. Don't use them!

Richard.