Metcash’s outgoing food pillar chief executive Scott Marshall has accused Wesfarmers-backed Bunnings of being “anti-competitive”, saying the hardware giant has contacted some of its key Mitre10 businesses seeking to buy their stores.

The grocery wholesaler was asked to participate in the Senate inquiry into the cost of living, and to provide insights into competition and its impacts on pricing. Metcash supplies 4000 retailers in the IGA and Foodland networks, and hardware and liquor stores.