The message from James Lowe's presentation at the FMF Conference came through loud and clear: the UK's performance in comparison with other EEC countries is grim. We are 7th in terms of comparative consumer spending; by 1976 our national income per head will be 7th (with only Italy and Ireland less than ours); and in the growth of private consumption per person, we are lowest. But in retail terms, we have a more advanced distribution industry than the other member countries, particularly in food. The efficiency of our large‐scale multiple organisations is unquestionable.