Grocery

The Commission has responsibilities to monitor and regulate the grocery sector under the Grocery Industry Competition Act 2023.

In 2022, our market study into the grocery sector found that there needs to be more competition for all New Zealanders to benefit from better prices, more choice, and more convenient shopping. The Grocery Industry Competition Actopen_in_new was developed in response, making us the regulator of the grocery sector.  The Act is complemented by existing and new regulation under the Commerce Actopen_in_new and Fair Trading Actopen_in_new

On 13 July 2023, Pierre van Heerden was formally appointed as the first Grocery Commissioner.  Read more about our Board of Commissioners

Our work focuses on the following areas to improve competition in the grocery sector:

  • creating pricing and promotional transparency for consumers
  • establishing a new supply code of conduct to create a level playing field for all suppliers
  • establishing a new wholesale regime that will make it easier for new entrants to enter the market and existing retailers to compete and innovate
  • ongoing monitoring of the state of competition in the grocery sector and that will report on whether it is delivering benefits for New Zealanders over time
  • taking action to address non-compliance where necessary

Our new responsibilities to regulate sit alongside our ongoing work in the grocery sector enforcing the Fair Trading Act and the Commerce Act – with priorities including our focus on restrictive and exclusive covenants, refusals to supply due to low retail pricing, and pricing and promotional practices.

If you wish to receive communications related to grocery or want to get in touch, subscribe to our email list.


Anonymous Reporting tool

We recognise there are situations where someone who has knowledge or specific information about the conduct of a grocery industry participant (eg, a regulated grocery retailer, supplier, or other retailer) and might be reluctant to report it for fear of negative consequences or reprisals (such as being delisted from a retail store).

The Commerce Commission’s Anonymous Reporting Tool provides a secure channel to be able to report information without disclosing your personal information.

Learn more about our anonymous reporting toolopen_in_new and how to report a concern.


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This page was published 2 weeks ago