26th April 2024 ComCom / FoodstuffsSelf-proclaimed ‘ordinary Kiwis’ are having their say on the Foodstuffs merger, with expressions of ‘vehement opposition’ a common theme in the latest published submissions.
16th April 2024 ComCom / Foodstuffs / WoolworthsGrocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden says he has been encouraged to see the supermarkets make changes to their agreements.
16th April 2024 ComCom / SupermarketsThe Commerce Commission’s new grocery unit is planning to publish its first report on the state of competition in New Zealand’s $25bn grocery sector a year ahead of deadline.
9th April 2024 ComCom / EmploymentThe Commerce Commission is expected to cut around 10% of its staff – which means 35 – 40 jobs according to reports – as the government continues to look for public sector savings.
20th March 2024 ComCom / Sanitarium / The WarehouseThe Commerce Commission will not open an investigation into the behaviour of manufacturer Sanitarium following its recent tussle with The Warehouse Group over the supply of Weet-Bix.
20th March 2024 ComCom / PricesThe Commerce Commission has released its Unit Pricing Guidelines for grocery retailers.
19th March 2024 ComCom / FoodstuffsThe competition watchdog is undertaking another round of submissions ahead of a decision on the controversial proposed Foodstuffs merger, pushing the timeline out again by two months.
8th March 2024 ComCom / FoodstuffsThe competition watchdog gives itself another month to consider the proposed Foodstuffs merger, while Foodstuffs’ submission rebuttal is published.
7th March 2024 ComCom / Foodstuffs / WoolworthsNew Zealand’s leading supermarket banners were among the most complained about businesses to the Commerce Commission last year.
4th March 2024 ComCom / GroceryMerger applicants tend to overestimate the ability and likelihood of third parties to exercise countervailing buyer power, according to a review of the competition watchdog’s merger decisions.
26th January 2024 ComCom / SanitariumThe competition watchdog is considering information it received from Sanitarium in December.
23rd January 2024 ComCom / SupermarketsThe watchdog will look at whether pricing and promotional practices at the duopoly comply with the Fair Trading Act.
19th January 2024 ComCom / FoodstuffsThe watchdog will look closely at the power an enlarged Foodstuffs would wield over suppliers as part of its assessment of the proposed merger.
18th January 2024 ComCom / GroceryThe watchdog’s Anonymous Reporting Tool provides a secure channel enabling users to report information without disclosing personal details.
11th December 2023 ComCom / Grocery CodeThe Commerce Commission is setting up an anonymous complaints system for suppliers as part of its oversight of the $22bn grocery sector.
4th December 2023 ComCom / SustainabilityThe Commerce Commission has issued new guidance to help businesses working together to pursue sustainability goals, with a focus on distinguishing between illegal collusion and legitimate collaboration.
8th November 2023 ComCom / Foodstuffs“The clearance process includes the opportunity for interested parties – including suppliers – to respond to the proposed merger,” ComCom said.
25th October 2023 ComCom / The Warehouse“A decision will be made as to next steps including whether to open an investigation,” says a spokesperson for the competition watchdog.
24th October 2023 ComCom / SealordThe Commerce Commission is considering a range of preliminary issues relating to the proposed purchase of Independent Fisheries by rival Sealord.
12th October 2023 ComCom / IMFThe Commerce Commission is minded to approve an application from the Infant Nutrition Council (INC) seeking authorisation for an arrangement allowing the INC to restrict its members from advertising and marketing formula products for infants aged up to 12 months old.
29th September 2023 ComCom / SanitariumThe watchdog could turn to litigation should it find that Sanitarium’s actions are in breach of the Commerce Act, according to the competition watchdog’s chair, John Small.
29th September 2023 ComCom / CompetitionThe Commerce Commission has published a factsheet to support the introduction of the new Grocery Supply Code, which took effect yesterday, 28 September 2023.
22nd September 2023 ComCom / SealordThe Commerce Commission has received a clearance application from Sealord Group seeking clearance to acquire the fishing business of Independent Fisheries.
25th August 2023 ComComThe Commerce Commission has received an application from the Infant Nutrition Council (INC) seeking authorisation for an arrangement allowing the INC to restrict its members from advertising and marketing formula products for infants aged up to 12 months old.
3rd August 2023 ComCom / Consumer NZThe consumer advocate asks the watchdog to investigate Woolworths and Foodstuffs for potential breaches of the Fair Trading Act.
28th July 2023 ComCom / Moana NZThe watchdog is looking closer into whether the deal would lessen competition.
28th July 2023 ComCom / RewardThe Commerce Commission has granted clearance for Reward Supply Co to acquire 100% of the shares of Southern Hospitality.
11th July 2023 ComCom / Grocery CommissionerThe former Sanitarium executive and ex-NZFGC chair will start in the role on Thursday.
13th June 2023 ComCom / Moana NZ / SanfordThe watchdog will be running a fine-tooth comb over all parts of the domestic supply chain for fresh fish as part of Moana New Zealand’s proposed $125m-plus Sanford deal.
9th June 2023 ComCom / HelloFreshThe Commerce Commission is investigating meal-kit company HelloFresh for possible breaches of the Fair Trading Act.
3rd May 2023 ComCom / Southern HospitalityThe Commerce Commission has published a statement of preliminary issues relating to an application from Reward Supply Co Pty Limited seeking clearance to acquire Southern Hospitality Limited.
1st May 2023 ComCom / WoolworthsThe ANZ pet sector deal gets the green light from NZ’s competition watchdog but is still waiting for a decision from Australian regulators.
30th March 2023 ComCom / RegulationThe Commerce Commission has published its ‘Misuse of market power guidelines’, ahead of a law change on 5 April.
1st March 2023 ComCom / WoolworthsThe Competition Commission has published its statement of preliminary issues relating to grocery group Woolworth’s proposed purchase of Australia’s Petspiration Group.
30th November 2022 ComCom / PeopleDr John Small is to become the new chair of the Commerce Commission.
5th October 2022 ComCom / PackagingA fast-growing sustainable packaging company used by food and beverage manufacturers and one its directors, Rebecca Percasky, have been rapped over the knuckles by the Commerce Commission.
4th August 2022 ComCom / Tegel“The costs are clear, and they will ultimately be borne by consumers,” Tegel said in a submission ahead of ComCom green-lighting collective supplier bargaining.
23rd June 2022 ComCom / Supply ChainThe Commerce Commission has granted clearance for Lineage Logistics New Zealand to buy Cold Storage Nelson.
2nd June 2022 ComCom / FoodstuffsFoodstuffs NZ MD compares the market study response with the co-op’s Covid crisis resourcing.
30th May 2022 ComCom / Life Health FoodsComCom finds the acquisition was unlikely to substantially lessen competition in any New Zealand market.
16th May 2022 Acquisitions / ComComThe Commerce Commission has identified concerns around the supply of cold storage in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region in respect of Lineage Logistics’ proposed acquisition of Cold Storage Nelson.
5th May 2022 ComCom / Life Health FoodsThe watchdog fears Life Health Foods’ proposed takeover of plant-based rival Chalmers Organics will substantially lessen competition.
27th April 2022 ComCom / TegelThe Commerce Commission has given the New Zealand Tegel Growers Association Incorporated clearance to collectively negotiate on behalf of its members with Tegel Foods for a ten year period.
22nd April 2022 ComCom / SupermarketsFinance minister Grant Robertson has underlined the government’s commitment to boost competition following a 30-year high in inflation.
20th April 2022 ComCom / FSNIFoodstuffs is creating its own Grocery Price Index which will be included in a new reporting dashboard to “publicly track its progress” against the Commerce Commission grocery market review recommendations.
31st March 2022 ComCom / SupermarketsComCom’s approach to improving competition in supermarkets is more strategic than it is being given credit for, says MonopolyWatch NZ.
31st March 2022 ComCom / EbosHealthcare and pet food company Ebos Group has been cleared to buy rival company LifeHealthcare.
31st March 2022 ComCom / SupermarketsThe Commerce Amendment Bill, which aims to deter anti-competitive conduct, has passed its third and final reading in parliament.
29th March 2022 ComCom / TegelThe Commerce Commission has extended provisional authorisation for the New Zealand Tegel Growers Association to collectively negotiate on behalf of its members with Tegel Foods.
24th March 2022 Acquisitions / ComComThe competition watchdog flags concerns over Life Health Foods’ proposed takeover of plant-based rival Chalmers Organics.
17th March 2022 ComCom / Z EnergyAustralian fuel retailer Ampol has been cleared by the Commerce Commission for its $2bn purchase of Z Energy.
11th March 2022 ComCom / SupermarketsThere are hopes a new market watchdog could apply significant pressure on the country’s supermarket duopoly to act fairly.
9th March 2022 ComCom / SupermarketsThe duopoly pledge to work with the government to implement the Commerce Commission’s final recommendations.
9th March 2022 ComCom / PoliticsThe Commerce Commission is labelled “out-of-touch” for releasing its report while supermarkets are struggling with Omicron impacts.
8th March 2022 ComCom / SupermarketsChair Anna Rawlings defends the report as “robust” and says it is up to the government to decide what to implement.
8th March 2022 ComCom / NZFGCNZFGC labels the grocery report a victory for suppliers, but says it is now up to the government to respond.
8th March 2022 ComCom / SupermarketsCode of conduct, collective bargaining and disputes resolution scheme all recommended by Commerce Commission.
8th March 2022 ComCom / SupermarketsThe commission stepped back from measures like creating a new independent wholesaler.
8th March 2022 ComCom / SupermarketsNew Zealanders will soon benefit from a much more competitive grocery sector as a result of market study findings unveiled by the Commerce Commission, says the government.
8th March 2022 ComCom / SupermarketsBut its recommendations fall well short of the more radical options, such as asset divestment, explored in its draft report and inquiry hearing.
7th March 2022 ComCom / SupermarketsThe entrepreneur is hoping for a “table-thumping” final report on Tuesday, paving the way for a third major player in NZ’s $22bn grocery sector.
7th March 2022 ComCom / SupermarketsEconomist Cameron Bagrie rejects the argument that New Zealand’s credit rating could be hurt if the supermarket giants are forced to divest.
3rd March 2022 ComCom / SupieThe gloves are off ahead of the Commerce Commission’s final report into the $22bn grocery sector to be published on Tuesday.
23rd February 2022 ComCom / FoodstuffsWe’re doing the work, FSNI boss Chris Quin says, in the lead up to publication of the final ComCom report by 8 March.
18th February 2022 ComCom / Supply ChainThe Commerce Commission has formed a working group with four other regulators to identify possible cartel behaviour in global supply chains.
9th February 2022 ComCom / Plant-basedThe Commerce Commission is considering an application by Life Health Foods NZ to purchase 100% of meat alternative manufacturer Chalmers Organics.
8th December 2021 ComCom / FoodstuffsFSNI’s CEO makes a last-ditch attempt to sway the outcome of the Commerce Commission’s market study into the retail grocery sector.
26th November 2021 ComCom / TegelThe Commerce Commission has granted provisional authorisation for the New Zealand Tegel Growers Association to collectively negotiate on behalf of its members with Tegel Foods.
4th November 2021 ComCom / GWFThe baking behemoth that also owns pie company Big Ben secures sign-off from the Commerce Commission to buy rival Dad’s Pies.
3rd November 2021 ComCom / SupermarketsThe Commerce Commission consultation conference as part of its review of competition in the $22bn retail grocery sector has come to a close, providing participants one last chance to plead their cases.
2nd November 2021 ComCom / SupermarketsCould an ‘iwi-mart’ challenge the Foodstuffs and Countdown duopoly?
29th October 2021 ComCom / SupermarketsNew entrants, existing players and would-be investors are all wary of the power wielded by the grocery duopoly, the Commerce Commission hears.
28th October 2021 ComCom / SupermarketsSupermarket owners argue for a fresh calculation of profit refuting findings of excessive returns.
27th October 2021 ComCom / SupermarketsFGC says NZ’s highly concentrated market means conflicts of interests are amplified but supermarket groups argue private labels are critical for budget consumers.
26th October 2021 ComCom / SupermarketsBloomsberry and Co founder Giles Barker says supermarkets use promotional pricing to control suppliers, rather than just to deliver value to consumers.
22nd October 2021 ComCom / SupermarketsTex Edwards makes his case for a break-up of the duopoly, which he says controls all the vital infrastructure in the sector.
21st October 2021 ComCom / FoodstuffsFSSI’s boss blames the grocery market review process for having “significantly damaged a large number” of supplier and retailer relationships.
21st October 2021 ComCom / GWFGeorge Weston Foods has made a change to its Commerce Commission application to acquire 100% of the share of pastry and pie rival, Dad’s Pies.
20th October 2021 ComCom / NZFGCIn an open letter to Parliament, the unlikely allies call on MPs to support a “strong intervention” into NZ’s grocery market.
12th October 2021 ComCom / TegelThe Commerce Commission has published a statement of preliminary issues relating to the New Zealand Tegel Growers Association application to collectively negotiate conditions around its supply arrangement with Tegel Foods.
11th October 2021 ComCom / GWFThe new business would be a top three wholesale pie company in NZ but it wouldn’t weaken competition, says George Weston Foods.
8th October 2021 ComCom / GWFBoth firms manufacture and supply savoury pies and sausage rolls in NZ.
16th September 2021 ComCom / CountdownThe supermarket group also suggests changes to planning laws and the appointment of a grocery ombudsman with oversight of the $22bn sector.
16th September 2021 ComCom / SupermarketsFood firms want wide stakeholder buy-in to a code that provides a framework for behaviour and confidence for investment decisions.
15th September 2021 ComCom / FoodstuffsCEO Chris Quin says the co-op will make changes but he disputes ComCom’s estimate of the supermarket group’s profitability.
15th September 2021 ComCom / PackagingThe Commerce Commission has warned paper packaging company Glopac New Zealand for making misleading claims about the ability to recycle its hot drink cups.
1st September 2021 ComCom / SupermarketsFirst Union has highlighted centralised wage bargaining “as a key tool to constrain excess supermarket profitability and secure decent work for everyone in the supply chain,” in its submission to the Commerce Commission’s market study into the grocery sector.
30th August 2021 ComCom / Covid-19The Commerce Commission has reminded all businesses supplying essential services in the current nationwide Covid-19 lockdown of their obligations under the Commerce Act.
17th August 2021 ComCom / FonterraFonterra’s calculation of the base milk price it will pay farmers in the 2020/21 dairy season is consistent with the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA), says the Commerce Commission.
30th July 2021 ComCom / SupermarketsFoodstuffs disagrees with the Commerce Commission’s estimates of its profitability.
30th July 2021 ComCom / HortNZHortNZ will support “any move to ensure that growers get a better return on their investment, so that they will continue to invest in fruit and vegetable growing meaning New Zealanders can eat healthy, locally produced food”.
29th July 2021 ComCom / WholesaleSeparating NZ’s supermarket duopoly from wholesaler subsidiaries like Gilmours could help suppliers, says the Commerce Commission’s grocery sector draft report.
29th July 2021 ComCom / NZFGCReport reflects imbalance of power in sector which has allowed retailers to push excess costs, risks, and uncertainty onto suppliers, FCG says.
29th July 2021 ComCom / SupermarketsA third major player could be introduced to compete with Foodstuffs and Countdown, according to the strongest draft report recommendation.
29th July 2021 ComCom / SupermarketsThe introduction of a new, lower priced competitor into the grocery market would see shoppers abandon stalwarts Countdown and Foodstuffs in droves, according to one industry expert.
29th July 2021 ComCom / SupermarketsThe Commerce Commission backs a mandatory industry code of conduct and allowing suppliers to bargain collectively with supermarkets.
28th July 2021 ComCom / NZFGCNZFGC boss Katherine Rich repeats calls for a mandatory Grocery Code of Conduct on the eve of the draft ComCom report being released.
19th July 2021 ComCom / SupermarketsA draft report as part of a year-long review of NZ’s highly concentrated grocery sector will be made public next Thursday morning.
7th July 2021 ComCom / FonterraThe Commerce Commission has updated its approach paper outlining the framework it applies when reviewing both how Fonterra sets its annual base milk price and the Milk Price Manual used to set the base milk price.
27th April 2021 ComCom / FoodstuffsThe supermarket giant says it is “surprised” at the allegations because it values its suppliers.
27th April 2021 ComCom / NZFGCThe government’s probe into the $21bn grocery sector heats up as rivals open fire in cross-submissions.
9th April 2021 ComCom / LegalCartel conduct included price fixing, market allocation and bid rigging.
6th April 2021 ComCom / SupermarketsThe Commerce Commission is seeking feedback on submissions received in response to its Preliminary Issues paper on its grocery sector market study.
4th March 2021 ComCom / SupermarketsThe year-long study looks at whether competition in the grocery sector was working well, and if not, what could be done to improve it.
16th December 2020 ComCom / SupermarketsThe ministry warns that ComCom’s market study of supermarkets is likely to take longer than a year.
15th December 2020 ComCom / FonterraThe Commerce Commission says it is “satisfied” with Fonterra’s milk prices.
11th December 2020 ComCom / PricesPreliminary issues paper released ahead of review into NZ’s highly concentrated sector
18th November 2020 ComCom / SupermarketsThe Commerce Commission will conduct the investigation to see if Kiwis are paying more than they should be.
