Grocery stalwart Peter Mitchell dies

Grocery stalwart Peter Mitchell dies

New Zealand grocery industry stalwart and icon Peter Mitchell, the only two-time recipient of FGC’s Lifetime Achiever Award, has died. Peter was the owner of Review Publishing, whose stable of publications included the highly regarded Supermarket News, which has been...
FGC welcomes Govt response to Market Study report

FGC welcomes Govt response to Market Study report

The New Zealand Food & Grocery Council welcomes the Government’s response to the Commerce Commission’s report on its Market Study into the grocery sector, particularly the strong emphasis on a mandatory Code of Conduct – our goal since 2010. “It’s a major task...
Legislation to block land covenants passes first reading

Legislation to block land covenants passes first reading

Legislation to stop major supermarkets blocking competitors from accessing land for new stores is now being considered by a parliamentary select committee. It was introduced into Parliament under urgency on Budget night by Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David...
Price ‘roll-back’ shows path to affordable groceries

Price ‘roll-back’ shows path to affordable groceries

Freezes and rollbacks by supermarkets on grocery prices are a recognition there’s a part for supermarkets to play in ensuring affordable groceries, says Katherine Rich. She says she suspects suppliers are paying for these reductions one way or another and “retailer...
Legislation to block land covenants passes first reading

Consumer NZ wants Minister to go further

Consumer NZ has launched a petition calling on Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark to go beyond the Commerce Commission’s recommendations in its report on the grocery sector, in order to bring about stronger competition. The Commission found...
FGC welcomes Govt response to Market Study report

Select committee agrees on Code of Conduct

A parliamentary select committee has agreed a Code of Conduct would help address issues of competition, uncompetitive behaviour, and lack of choice across the grocery sector. After considering a petition by FGC Chief Executive Katherine Rich, it has suggested the...
FGC welcomes Govt response to Market Study report

So will the Govt break up the duopoly?

The likelihood or otherwise of the Government breaking up the supermarket duopoly is the subject of two fascinating pieces of analysis. In the most recent, Stuff business writer Tom Pullar-Strecker concludes the Government isn’t going to overrule the Commerce...
FGC welcomes Govt response to Market Study report

Govt may break up duopoly, next steps in May

Commerce Minister David Clark has given his strongest indication yet the Government could be about to break up New Zealand’s supermarket duopoly. Next steps will be announced in late May. In an interview on NewstalkZB about the 7.6% rise in food prices in the year to...
Could this be the new face of competition in supermarkets:

Could this be the new face of competition in supermarkets:

Could this be the new face of competition in NZ supermarkets: A 500g block of Tararua butter $4 compared to $7.30 and $6.79! A 1.2kg box of Weet-Bix $5 compared to $7.80! Greggs special blend instant coffee $1 compared to $2.49! The lower prices were all from The...
FGC welcomes Govt response to Market Study report

Grocery report a victory for suppliers

The New Zealand Food & Grocery Council welcomes the Commerce Commission’s final report on its market study into the grocery sector. “We are delighted with the outcome – this is a victory for suppliers in terms of fairness, competition, and common sense,” says...
Pallet shortage caused by just-in-case approach

Pallet shortage caused by just-in-case approach

A shortage of pallets across New Zealand is being caused by businesses moving from a just-in-time to a just-in-case approach to managing stock in the face of Omicron. FGC Chief Executive Katherine Rich said this pressure on the supply chain was caused by businesses...