It may be difficult to swallow for some, but the latest results from retail giants Sainsbury's and Wal-Mart last week injected a positive tone into the ongoing concern over the economy.

Sainsbury's, the UK's third-largest retailer, highlighted its "universal appeal" as it posted rising half-year sales and earnings, while Wal-Mart praised its "price leadership" for its own bumper figures.

However, the UK's ever-vocal National Farmers Union will accuse, among others, Sainsbury's and Wal-Mart's Asda of "outrageous bully-boy tactics" against suppliers as the economic downturn bites.

The NFU claims it has received an increased number of complaints from suppliers, who say supermarkets are demanding "unilateral price cuts", back payments and over-riders. More on this story