24 Aug 2022

More supermarket reform - wholesale operations to be opened to rivals

From Nine To Noon, 9:05 am on 24 August 2022
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Photo: RNZ

The country's two main supermarket chains Countdown and Foodstuffs could soon be forced to open their wholesale operations to smaller rivals.

The government is expected to make an announcement later today. It would be the latest tranche of reforms following an investigation by the Commerce Commission into the supermarket sector. 

The Commission made a number of recommendations, and since then, the Government has already announced plans to introduce a code of conduct and a Grocery Commissioner who will have the ability to fine supermarkets who breach it. 

It has also recommended ending anti-competitive land wars between the big players.

Kathryn speaks with the Food and Grocery Council CEO, Katherine Rich, and Sarah Balle,  founder of Supie, an online grocery store.