Level of funding for Grocery Commissioner ‘heartening’

Level of funding for Grocery Commissioner ‘heartening’

The level of funding for the new grocery regulatory regime is heartening and highly appropriate for the job the Government is asking the Commerce Commission to do, says Chief Executive Raewyn Bleakley. The Budget announced $28.8 million over four years to further the...
No evidence supermarkets pressuring suppliers

No evidence supermarkets pressuring suppliers

FGC has no evidence to support allegations large supermarkets are potentially pressuring suppliers over pricing. Chief Executive Raewyn Bleakley said this in response to media inquiries after online grocery retailer Supie claimed some suppliers appeared to be putting...
FGC welcomes changes to recycling and waste disposal

FGC welcomes changes to recycling and waste disposal

FGC welcomes the announcement by the Government around changes to recycling and disposal of waste. Chief Executive Raewyn Bleakley says the announcement is a big step in the right direction for a more sustainable economy. “We will be very interested in the detail and...
Grocery bill will address much-needed changes

Grocery bill will address much-needed changes

The New Zealand Food and Grocery Council has welcomed the Grocery Industry Competition Bill, as reported back to Parliament. The bill will address a wide range of much-needed changes in the grocery sector, says Chief Executive Raewyn Bleakley. “It’s positive to see...
Grocery bill will address much-needed changes

Legislation addresses wide range of desperately needed changes

The Grocery Industry Competition Bill will address a wide range of desperately needed changes in the grocery sector, says the New Zealand Food & Grocery Council. “These proposals will be welcomed by suppliers and consumers as further concrete steps towards helping...
Grocery Commissioner will have extraordinary powers, says MBIE

Grocery Commissioner will have extraordinary powers, says MBIE

The powers of the yet-to-be appointed Grocery Commission will be quite extraordinary, the Deputy Secretary, Building, Resources and Markets at MBIE, Paul Stocks told the NZFGC ONE VOICE conference in Queenstown today. He said the ability of the commissioner to review...
Katherine Rich: the whisper that roared

Katherine Rich: the whisper that roared

Katherine Rich began raising concerns about supermarket power in the grocery sector over a decade ago, speaking “with very much a whisper”, writes Kate MacNamara. But, as Kate reports, “over the years her voice has both strengthened and joined a...
Forcing duopoly to offer wholesale to competitors welcomed

Forcing duopoly to offer wholesale to competitors welcomed

Forcing the supermarket duopoly to negotiate wholesale offerings to competitors on commercial terms is a significant but necessary step if Kiwis are to see better choice and lower prices, says FGC. “This plan by the Government to inject more competition into the...
Perfect storm for suppliers as grocery prices rise

Perfect storm for suppliers as grocery prices rise

Grocery suppliers have been faced with a perfect storm as grocery prices rise, says FGC in response to analysis by consultants Infometrics. The analysis, which was commissioned by Foodstuffs NZ, shows grocery costs from suppliers rose 7.9% in July. Infometrics...
FGC, APCO join to increase packaging recyclability

FGC, APCO join to increase packaging recyclability

The recycling of packaging in New Zealand is set to increase thanks to a new partnership between FGC and the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation which will advance the uptake of the Australasian Recycling Label. The ARL is an on-pack labelling scheme that helps...
Commissioner will hold supermarkets’ feet to fire

Commissioner will hold supermarkets’ feet to fire

The Food & Grocery Council welcomes the Government’s latest steps towards better and fairer deals for supermarket shoppers and suppliers. “Establishing a Grocery Commissioner inside the Commerce Commission is a great move,” a spokesman says. “This shows very...
Restrictive supermarket covenants banned

Restrictive supermarket covenants banned

FGC welcomes the passing of legislation banning covenants that impede the development of land or the use of a site for a grocery store. The Commerce (Grocery Sector Covenants) Amendment Act 2022 deems such covenants as substantially reducing competition in the grocery...