Kesa, Europe’s third-largest electricals retailer, has told suppliers they must pay up to £15,400 just to have one of their products displayed on the shop floor in its Comet stores as the company struggles with the downturn.

Bob Darke, Comet’s commercial director, wrote to suppliers in early December to tell them he would be imposing the new charges from January 1, according to two suppliers who received the letter.

Citing tough economic times, Darke said Comet would be asking for a listing fee for every line stocked in stores, as well as a 2% discount on invoices and an additional 0.5% fee for sales and stock data.

Financial Times