File this under another hardy annual. I regularly receive calls from people alleging that some retailers are still demanding money from suppliers for shelf space and marketing budgets.

However, I have been receiving an increased volume of calls on this since before Christmas with the suppliers alleging that certain retailers are asking for high five-figure and low six-figure sums just to keep good shelf space.

The “you’re either in or you’re out” demands have ramped with new retail legislation somewhere on the horizon.

There will be more on this next week.