Not followed closely today but the decline came from the proximity of so many stores to each other, as well as petrol ranks from a price competition point of view, and there was talk of closures to ensure they didn't automatically jump ahead of Tesco - so I can see that point.
I lost interest in whoever started ranting about unfairness (CEO of one of them, assuming Sainsbury) owing to the fact he went straight to Brexit with the implication US based Walmart wanted out and there would be no other buyers in the current climate.
It appears those who claimed massive hypermarkets would end the independent high street were spot on and having subtly raised prices regularly in recent years given the market was clear and they'd enticed in and got people on habit, the next round is to promise an uber supermarket is better value - until they have no competition either and then start raising prices once again.
Then again, if the competition commission are now applying a different standard as claimed, they should absolutely complain.
Sits here wondering how long it takes local Councils to realise 'rates' in this day and age are stupid, scraps them, and we see the high street potentially make a come back, providing a level of convenient competition the uber supermarkets can't.