By Sue Chetwin, Chair, Grocery Action Group
Let me introduce us – before I ask for your support. We’re the Grocery Action Group (GAG) and we’re laser focused on bringing down supermarket prices for all Kiwis. We might call ourselves GAG, but it’s the one thing we won’t be. Our message is unambiguous. We know consumers and suppliers are suffering simply because we have a supermarket duopoly controlling what we pay at the checkout. The Commerce Commission has told us that we have a failed market – its supermarket study showed unfair prices, unfair profits and unfair competition. Our group is determined to change that for the benefit of everyone involved in the supermarket distribution sector. We want to see more competition, more price transparency and we want to see it fast.
Sue Chetwin Chair, Grocery Action Group
We’re a group set up to advocate for a more consumer-focused grocery industry. You don’t need us to tell you how both consumers and suppliers suffer when duopolies have unfair control over what goes on the shelves and at what price. We’re concerned Kiwi families and producers are suffering from this concentration of market power. We need your help to do something about it.
This year GAG has become an incorporated society, established a website at gag.org.nz, opposed the Foodstuffs North and South Island merger application through two submissions to the Commerce Commission, and met and debated with government officials. We do not accept, as has been stated, ending duopoly control is a long game. Kiwis can’t afford to wait. We think the Government and the Commission should be more ambitious.
In Australia we hear about growers walking off the land because of the prices they are receiving from supermarket buyers for their products. Former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) chair Rod Sims described the market there as “stunningly concentrated.” Yet the Australian big two of Coles and Woolworths enjoy just 65 percent of the market. Here the big two Foodstuffs and Woolworths have more than 80 percent control. So, while GAG is here for consumers, our advocacy will help suppliers as well.
Our board is made up of experienced consumer and business advocates. But we can’t do it alone. We need your financial support to make sure your voice is being heard.
We are hoping for donations small and large from multiple suppliers. This will help with the research we want to do, providing quality advocacy, influencing the debate in the public arena and operational costs such as maintaining the website, and travel to meetings.
Help us to help you. We’re interested in your financial support (big or small, it all contributes) but we also want to hear from you. Tell us your stories so we can keep building the case for reform of this failed market. For more about us and how you can help, visit gag.org.nz
If you elect to be anonymous, thanks in advance.
