The forced sale of some supermarket assets is still an option as the Government tries to boost competition and combat rising prices, according to a new report.
The report was commissioned by the Government.
NZ Herald business reporter Kate MacNamara obtained it, along with Government papers on grocery retailing, under the Official Information Act.
The papers quote Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark saying he had received the “initial cut of the cost-benefit analysis for retail divestment” and that Cabinet discussions were ongoing.
The report suggests a forced sale of supermarket assets could attract buyers ranging from global supermarket groups and private equity firms to wealthy New Zealand-based individuals, retail groups, iwi and others.
But it warns that even if the Government forced a third significant player into New Zealand’s duopoly-dominated grocery sector, it could not assume the newcomer would succeed.
FGC is seeking a copy of the report and the papers.