Bic Ltd has denied rumours that it has lost a major contract with the national retailer WH Smith. A company spokesperson said there was ‘absolutely no truth in the story’.
They say the recent 15 per cent drop in prices for some of its top selling products is the result of ongoing promotions with certain dealers groups and not a bid to win back lost business. Because of its strong market position, Bic is not usually the most flexible of suppliers on pricing, but many writing instrument suppliers are feeling the pressure of the increasingly high quality and lower prices of own-branded products.
23-Apr-2001