LAWRENCE Bellamy is associate dean at the University of Chester's Warrington campus.

In his latest column, he talks food prices.

Food prices have been falling apparently.

While reductions in meat prices have been modest, fruit and vegetables have seen larger reductions. The mild weather has brought bumper crops.

However as a consumer are you feeling the benefit? As supply market prices fall the retailers have a window of opportunity to maintain their prices and take a larger margin.

Eventually a supermarket will break rank and reduce their price, as it could help them gain market share, but in the meantime they’re happy to take the extra profits.

This behaviour is the same in other markets too, just look at changes in gas supply prices and your own gas bill. So how can this cycle be broken?

For supermarkets discounters such as Aldi and Lidl are breaking the dominance of the big players and gaining market share. Aldi’s new store for Winwick Road is an indication of the continued success and expansion of their operations.

Basic facilities in industrial areas, straight to floor produce and quick check-out facilities all drive down operating costs.

Many people now agree the product range compromise is worth it and price wars look set to break out. About time too.