We love supermarkets: The competition inquiry has encouraged a wave of attacks on supermarkets.

In her report “Supermarkets are selling us out” (last week), India Knight’s main criticism seems to be that she finds supermarkets irresistible and she can’t turn down a free carrier bag.

Supermarkets have not grown by bewitching simpletons into mindless buying. Convenience, choice and attractive prices bring in millions of shoppers.

Each day customers decide between big or small shops and this competition continues to produce great results for the consumer.

We still have 44,000 independent food retailers – grocers, bakers, fishmongers and so on. They may choose not to compete on price but they will continue to thrive by offering something different from the supermarkets.

Shopping is a true democracy.

Stephen Robertson

director-general British Retail Consortium London SW1

Called to account: I noted a strange coincidence in your Money section last week. Under a column entitled “Funny money”, there appeared an ad for Alliance & Leicester offering accounts for overfifties and paying 8.5% interest. Sounds good.

But when subject to tax at 20% this falls to 6.8% per annum. Thus my £2,500 will net me £170.

However, bring in the account charge of £10 a month, and net income (unless I have missed something) drops to £50, which looks like an interest rate of close to 2% to me.

Bill Uttley

Heywood, Lancs

Product recall: The recent recall of salmon products contaminated with diesel shows that companies must always be ready to salvage customer loyalty.

We have done a study that shows the number of product recalls is continuing to rise – it was up 35% in 2007 compared with the year before.

The steps companies can take are neither difficult nor expensive. Prompt guidance can be offered to reassure consumers over the phone, or on company websites.

Such measures avoid the catastrophic damage dealt by poorly handled product recalls and get a brand back in favour with customers.

Rob Denton

managing director, Navigator Customer Management

Wallington, Surrey

Muzak menace: Recent correspondents to this column have given various reasons why they think the retail sector is in the doldrums. I would like to add my own reason – incessant and intrusive music.

Whether one shops in DIY stores, department stores, village shops, hairdressers, card shops, food shops or supermarkets, they all have loud music that interferes with one’s concentration.

It used to be boutiques that were noisy, which suited the young. Those of us that didn’t want it could simply avoid these shops, but now, it is everywhere. Sometimes even in the loos.

Whether I am seeking the right birthday card, tiles for my bathroom or an item of clothing, I need peace in which to do so. If the retail bosses could hear customers and staff moaning about this invasive noise, they would surely think again.

The retail trade has only itself to blame for poor sales.

Christine Bennett

Liskeard, Cornwall

Letters, bearing the writer’s full name and address, should be sent to The Editor, Business, The Sunday Times, 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1ST, or e-mailed to businessletters@sunday-times.co.uk

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