Latest news with #SueChetwin
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Prices shouldn't depend on postcode: consumer group
Fair prices for groceries should not depend on a shopper's postcode, a consumer advocacy group says The Commerce Commission's Grocery Report - released yesterday - highlighted the fact that areas like Auckland enjoyed more competition and cheaper prices. The Grocery Action Group said the commission's report had no good news for consumers. Chair Sue Chetwin said the lack of competition in smaller centres meant markups were much higher, even though overheads such as rent were much lower. "In rural areas and smaller towns where New Zealand's supermarket choices are narrow or non-existent, the report confirms what those living there already know - that consumers pay a premium for the lack of competition. "This kind of geographic price gap is unacceptable. Fair prices shouldn't depend on your postcode." Chetwin said on top of the 4.6% increase in grocery prices for the year to May, there were other findings in the report that were thoroughly alarming. "For instance, it notes we are paying higher than the OECD average for groceries even though we earn well below the average OECD wage. "Another disturbing fact is the prices that the supermarket chains pay their suppliers are subsidised by around $5 billion in rebates, discounts and promotional payments paid by suppliers." The report confirmed Kiwi consumers were paying way over the odds for their groceries, she said.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Geographic price gap for shopping 'unacceptable'
The new report proves consumers pay a premium for the lack of competition, says the Grocery Action Group. Photo: Fair prices for groceries should not depend on a shopper's postcode, a consumer advocacy group says The Commerce Commission's Grocery Report - released yesterday - highlighted the fact that areas like Auckland enjoyed more competition and cheaper prices. The Grocery Action Group said the commission's report had no good news for consumers. Chair Sue Chetwin said the lack of competition in smaller centres meant the markups were much higher, even though overheads such as rent were much lower. "In rural areas and smaller towns where New Zealand's supermarket choices are narrow or non-existent, the report confirms what those living there already know - that consumers pay a premium for the lack of competition," she said. "This kind of geographic price gap is unacceptable. Fair prices shouldn't depend on your postcode." Chetwin said on top of the 4.6 percent increase in grocery prices for the year to May, there were other findings in the report that were thoroughly alarming. "For instance it notes we are paying higher than the OECD average for groceries even though we earn well below the average OECD wage. "Another disturbing fact is the prices that the supermarket chains pay their suppliers are subsidised by around $5b in rebates, discounts and promotional payments paid by suppliers," Chetwin said. She said the report confirmed Kiwi consumers were paying way over the odds for their groceries. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
No Good News For Consumers In Grocery Report
The $27 billion grocery market needs big, bold and progressive moves by the Government if we are to see healthy competition and lower grocery prices, the Grocery Action Group said today. The Grocery Commissioner's second annual report showed once again Kiwi consumers were paying way over the odds for their groceries, Grocery Action Group chair Sue Chetwin said. 'It was devoid of any good news for consumers,' she said. 'On top of the 4.6% increase in grocery prices in the 12 months to May this year, there are other findings in the report that are alarming. 'For instance it notes we are paying higher than the OECD average for groceries even though we earn well below the average OECD wage. 'Another disturbing fact is the 'prices (that the supermarket chains) pay their suppliers are subsidised by around $5 billion in rebates, discounts and promotional payments paid by (the) suppliers',' she said. 'The lack of competition is the key reason why New Zealanders are paying too much for their groceries, and in places where there is no competition the markups are even higher though overheads such as rent are often lower. 'In rural areas and smaller towns where New Zealand's supermarket choices are narrow or non-existent, the report confirms what those living there already know – that consumers pay a premium for the lack of competition. 'In places like TeAnau, where there is only one large supermarket alongside a Four Square, consumers are paying 33% more for grapes, 15% more for Woolworths brand flour, and Nescafe coffee which is on special in both Te Anau and nationwide, is 14.8% more. 'This kind of geographic price gap is unacceptable. Fair prices shouldn't depend on your postcode. 'We are eagerly waiting on hearing from the Minister for Economic Growth, Nicola Willis, on how she proposes to restore our broken grocery market.'
Scoop
21-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Grocery Action Group Backs Consumer Price It Right Campaign
Consumers unite for transparent and fair supermarket pricing The Grocery Action Group enthusiastically supports Consumer NZ's groundbreaking initiative, the 'Price it Right' campaign. 'As advocates for fairness and transparency in the grocery sector, we recognise the urgent need to address misleading supermarket pricing practices that continue to undermine the trust of shoppers throughout Aotearoa,' Group chair Sue Chetwin said. Every year, inaccurate pricing not only erodes consumer confidence but also places unnecessary and unfair financial strain on households nationwide. These issues are of critical concern to all Kiwis, who should be able to believe there is clarity and honesty at the checkout. By championing clear and enforceable rules around supermarket pricing, the 'Price it Right' campaign offers a practical pathway for consumers to seek redress. We strongly endorse Consumer NZ's calls for: Introduction of a mandatory supermarket pricing accuracy code to ensure that all shoppers benefit from transparent, consistent pricing. Automatic compensation for consumers whenever supermarkets make pricing errors, providing immediate redress for affected shoppers. The implementation of meaningful penalties for non-compliance, creating a genuine deterrent to unfair and misleading practices. We urge the Government to act swiftly on these recommendations and to stand with consumers in demanding fairness from our nation's supermarkets, Chetwin said. The Grocery Action Group invites fellow organisations, industry stakeholders, and the public to join us in supporting the 'Price it Right' campaign and signing the petition for real legislative change. 'Together, we can ensure New Zealand's supermarkets uphold higher standards and when they don't they are quickly and severely dealt with,' she said. For further information about the campaign and how you can show your support, please visit Note: The Grocery Action Group was formed to bring down the prices of groceries for all Kiwis. Our vision is to influence government, the regulators and other parties to deliver a competitive and consumer-focused grocery sector in New Zealand. Our board is made up of consumer, industry, supplier and Māori interests experts. For more info visit
Scoop
04-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Supermarkets Slammed For Bad Behaviour
Another day, another report that reveals how badly the duopoly supermarkets of Woolworths and Foodstuffs are treating their customers and suppliers to benefit themselves. 'Kiwi consumers deserve so much better than this. We are still paying some of the highest prices on the planet to put food on the table and we have known this for more than three years,' said Grocery Action Group chair Sue Chetwin. Today's report from the Commerce Commission slams the supermarket duopoly sector for the way it treats its suppliers by making unrealistic demands of them and asking them to wear costs the supermarkets should be covering. The Commission also says this is a significant issue for any potential competitors who face an insurmountable battle to get wholesale groceries at a reasonable price. 'The report reveals the supermarkets suppliers are being subsidised by around $5 billion in rebates, discounts and promotional payments. Competitors just cannot compete with that power inbalance. 'It doesn't work for consumers either because prices bounce around so much they no longer know what a fair price might be,' Chetwin said. 'The report shows once again that despite the Commission and the Government calling out this appalling behavour the incumbents continue to treat consumers and suppliers as if they own them,' Chetwin said. 'In many respects they do. Foodstuffs and Woolworths hold more than 80% of the market. This lack of competition means consumers have no to little choice about where they shop.' Grocery Action also notes the large suppliers are complicit in this play because the lack of competition also helps keep their prices high. GAG is concerned improvements to the supply and wholesale codes proposed by the Commission, including prohibiting retaliation against suppliers who assert their rights will not be enough. 'The Commission is asking the duopoly to 'voluntarily' change the wholesale code over the next 12 months – that's like politely asking the greedy to stop being greedy. It won't work. 'We have already seen the duopoly play by its own rules. The industry has been on notice since the Commission released its Supermarket Study in 2022, which said supermarkets were making excessive profits and that a lack of competition meant we were paying some of the highest prices in the world for food, but nothing has changed. 'Hopefully this latest report will assist the Grocery Minister Nicola Willis, to conclude that forced divestment of the supermarkets to allow more competition needs to happen now, not in some distant future. Consumers will thank her.' Grocery Action background The Grocery Action Group was formed to bring down the prices of groceries for all Kiwis. Our vision is to influence government, the regulators and other parties to deliver a competitive and consumer-focused grocery sector in New Zealand. Our board is made up of consumer, industry, supplier and Māori interest experts. For more info visit
