SUPERMARKET SPECIAL OFFERS:What I'd like is an end to the whole three-for-two, or buy three and the cheapest is free, system that all the big shops use to sell their Christmas gifts. It used to cause me immense stress until I realised that I only want one thing and will only get one, and to hell with value and trying to choose three. But I'm surrounded in the shops by people struggling to find one more bearable thing and their fretfulness is catching. – Mise

You’re not alone in wishing to see an end to these promotions. Most suppliers would like to see these go too, as they’re essentially “asked” by the super- markets to financially support these promotions at a significant cost. Many smaller suppliers simply cannot, at risk of de-listing or at best reduced shelf space. The net effect may be a temporarily reduced price for the consumer, but an eroding of choice in the longer term – and of jobs, very many of them local. It’s a false economy. – John