Following an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority, Waitrose has admitted to signing land agreements which blocked other supermarkets from opening stores nearby.
The grocer was found to have made seven breaches of the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010 between 2010 and 2019 after the CMA took a closer look at how supermarkets were competing.
The breaches related to locations in Bromsgrove, Rustington, Swindon, Daventry, Chester, Notting Hill Gate and Market Harborough.
To comply with the order, Waitrose has agreed to remove restrictions from land agreements which prevented rivals from setting up new stores
