Stores to launch price cut campaigns

BRITAIN'S two biggest food retailers will launch aggressive campaigns this week to try to win new shoppers.

Sainsbury's is to offer across-the-board 20% price cuts on beers, ciders and alcopops. The week-long promotion, starting on Wednesday, is aimed at capturing a bigger slice of the drinks market over the bank holiday and running up to the start of the Euro 2004 football championship in Portugal next month.

Sainsbury's accounts for almost one-fifth of the UK off-licence sales of beers, wines and spirits.

Meanwhile, Tesco is to attack the 'home office' market with a range of stationery and office supplies. 'We will be taking on the likes of Office World and Staples,' said a spokesman.

Tesco's office supplies range will include home safes and filing cabinets as well as basics such as paper, staplers and pens.

The company will also start selling computer accessories.