The Commerce Commission has today released a paper outlining the preliminary issues it may explore and the proposed scope for its market study into the grocery sector.

“We expect that the issues we focus on will evolve as our understanding of the sector develops and we want feedback from consumers, suppliers and retailers to ensure we focus on the right issues,” Commission Chair Anna Rawlings said.

The terms of reference, set by the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, require the Commission to consider the following matters:

• the structure of the grocery industry at the wholesale and retail levels
• the nature of competition at the wholesale and retail levels of the grocery industry
• the pricing practices of the major grocery retailers
• the grocery procurement practices of the major grocery retailers, and
• the price, quality, product range and service offerings for retail customers.

In the preliminary issues paper, the Commission has identified a range of potential issues it may explore, including:

• how intense competition is between grocery retailers
• whether features of the sector are affecting the potential for retail entry and expansion
• what impact private label products have on competition at the supplier level
• consumer purchasing behaviour, including how retailers’ pricing strategies and promotional activity affect consumer purchasing behaviour
• whether any changes to the sector that may have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to affect competition over the longer term.

In addition to studying the factors affecting competition, the Commission intends to consider competitive outcomes in the grocery sector including prices, choice, quality and innovation, the margins and profitability of grocery retailers, and whether there are other outcomes that are not consistent with those expected in a competitive market. 

“The purpose of our market study is to look at whether competition is working well for consumers, and if not, what can be done to improve it. It doesn’t look at prices in isolation. However, if retail competition is working, this will benefit consumers through the prices they pay for groceries, the quality of groceries being sold, the range of groceries available and the service that is offered,” Ms Rawlings said.

The paper also seeks feedback on the Commission’s proposed scope for the study. This includes the Commission’s intention to focus on:

• the two major grocery retailers, Woolworths NZ and the Foodstuffs Group, due to their high share of retail grocery sales
• groceries sold to New Zealand retail consumers, not commercial consumers like restaurants or catering suppliers
• a sample of key products to keep a focussed analysis of potential competition issues in the sector given the large range of products sold by grocery retailers.

"We welcome feedback on our preliminary issues and proposed scope from all interested parties. We also intend to engage more directly with a range of stakeholders, including consumers and smaller suppliers and retailers early in the New Year.”

The preliminary issues paper features a series of questions that the Commission is seeking responses on. The Commission welcomes any supporting evidence that submitters may be able to provide with their submissions. The paper can be found here.

Submissions can be uploaded on our website at www.comcom.govt.nz/groceries

Submissions close at 4pm on Thursday 4 February 2021. 

The Commission is due to deliver its draft report mid next year and a final report by 23 November 2021.

Background

In November 2020 the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs initiated a market study into the grocery sector. Outcomes of the study may range from a ‘clean bill of health’ for the sector to recommendations for changes to enhance market performance. The Commission’s recommendations are non-binding, but the Government must respond to any recommendations within a reasonable period.
More information on the study is available at www.comcom.govt.nz/groceries.

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