President David Moore has called for the fees to be refunded. Growers also are pleading their case with government regulators. At their request, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service is studying how supermarkets buy produce and whether they are forcing suppliers to absorb their marketing costs. As skirmishes over slotting intensify between manufacturers and retailers, regulatory pressure seems to be building, too. McCormick has denied wrongdoing, but has made settlement overtures to avoid a prolonged fight.
Small manufacturers say they lack the capital and the volume to keep up.
Frustrated and angry, meatpacker Burnett initially consulted an attorney about taking on the slotting system via a class-action lawsuit. But open rebellion could cost him another chance with the chain in question and might scuttle his relationships with other retailers, he concluded. Also known as a slotting allowance. Also known as a presentation fee. These prime selling locations, also known as ends or end displays, command among the highest fees.