A commitment that can start tomorrow

A commitment that can start tomorrow

Nov 29, 2021 | Katherine Rich Comments

The Commerce Commission Market Study into grocery retailing has been thorough and has exceeded all my expectations in terms of the meticulous nature of the research and information gathering from the perspective of economics and competition law. It has been great to...
‘Commerce Commission has two viable choices’

‘Commerce Commission has two viable choices’

Nov 8, 2021 | Media

Stuff business reporter Tom Pullar-Strecker has summarised the Commerce Commission’s 7 days of online hearings in its Grocery Market Study. He writes the Commission has been left with two viable choices: attempt to clear the way for “like-for-like” competition for a...
Final comments to ComCom’s virtual conference

Final comments to ComCom’s virtual conference

Nov 2, 2021 | Grocery Market Study

I’d like to thank the Commission and the commissioners for hosting the conference in trying circumstances. I believe you’ve done an excellent job in facilitating thought-provoking discussion. I also thank all the other conference participants for sharing their...

Weak competition and high returns

Nov 1, 2021 | Katherine Rich Comments

The recent draft report by the Commerce Commission confirmed New Zealand’s supermarket market structure is a duopoly, that there is weak competition and that the returns are high. While there are few opportunities and competition to own a supermarket, there’s not much...
‘Commerce Commission has two viable choices’

Grocery Market Study online conference

Oct 27, 2021 | Latest News

As the Commerce Commission’s virtual conference on its Grocery Market Study continues, commentator Ernie Newman reviews the first few days of what he calls compelling viewing. His article in the New Zealand Herald begins: “In a lockdown almost any pastime beats...
FGC and Consumer NZ join to combat supermarket power

FGC and Consumer NZ join to combat supermarket power

Oct 20, 2021 | Latest News

The NZ Food & Grocery Council and Consumer NZ have published a joint open letter to Parliament today calling for a shake-up of the supermarket industry. They want the following changes to benefit consumers and suppliers: A mandatory Code of Conduct for...
‘Commerce Commission has two viable choices’

Grocery sector and the case for change

Oct 4, 2021 | Media

NZ Herald reporter Kate MacNamara interviews Katherine Rich and looks at the supermarket duopoly, the market study, and the changes needed. It begins: “The goliath market power of New Zealand’s supermarket duopoly is now clearly in slingshot range of the...

Towards better conduct

Oct 3, 2021 | Katherine Rich Comments

A Grocery Code of Conduct came closer recently when the Food & Grocery Council appeared before a parliamentary select committee to make an oral submission on our petition. We have long advocated for a framework similar to those in Australia and the UK which...