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THIS WEEK IN SUPERMARKET HISTORY

California Probing Slotting Feeshave not done much to abate the controversy and debate over the use of slotting fees. In 1990, SN detailed the start of a probe by the California Attorney General's office into slotting fees in the state.The investigation, which never led to any action, was an attempt to evaluate the origins and development of slotting-fee practices and to understand how the process

California Probing Slotting Fees

have not done much to abate the controversy and debate over the use of slotting fees. In 1990, SN detailed the start of a probe by the California Attorney General's office into slotting fees in the state.

The investigation, which never led to any action, was an attempt to evaluate the origins and development of slotting-fee practices and to understand how the process had been handled. The deputy attorney general involved with the investigation told SN at the time that "this issue isn't going to go away." He was right; the controversy continues today.

SN shone a spotlight on the ongoing debate in a survey this year of manufacturers and retailers about the practice. SN's survey, published July 15, 2002, found that the opinions about slotting fees ranged from staunch support of the system as it exists to laments that the practice keeps some products from ever reaching the shelf. The gulf dividing retailer opinion from manufacturer opinion is still wide: Twenty-four percent of retailers found slotting fee practices acceptable as they are, compared with 1% of manufacturers. Slotting fees have always been a lightning rod issue, and doubtless will continue to be so.