Major supermarkets’ takeover strategy prevents smaller grocers from growing into stronger competitors, inquiry hearsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastColes and Woolworths “pick off” large independent stores in a takeover strategy that prevents the smaller grocers from growing into more formidable competitors, an inquiry heard on Thursday.Grant Ramage, an executive at IGA and Foodland brand owner Metcash, said the amount of groceries flowing through their network, which it relies on to build competitive supply and distribution chains, was threatened by the acquisition strategy used by Australia’s major supermarkets.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...