The Commerce Commission received an application from Foodstuffs North Island Limited and Foodstuffs South Island Limited seeking clearance to merge in December 2023. A statement from the Commerce Commission is anticipated for mid-January 2024, which will also coincide with a call for submissions on the clearance.
Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs South Island operate as separate co-operatives that focus on serving the island in which they are located. Each has retail offerings under the New World, PAK’nSAVE and Four Square banners in the North and South Islands. Foodstuffs North Island also has commercial wholesale offerings under the Gilmours and Fresh Connection banners. In addition, Foodstuffs South Island has retail offerings under the On the Spot and Raeward Fresh banners and commercial wholesale offerings under the Trents banner and through some Raeward Fresh stores.
While operating as separate co-operatives, Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs South Island currently provide support and assistance to one another as required and work together in various ways. They also share ownership of several other entities.
These include Foodstuffs (N.Z.) Limited (a non-trading entity representing the co-operatives’ interests on issues of national or grocery-specific importance) and Foodstuffs Own Brands Limited (which negotiates trading terms and pricing with national suppliers for products purchased and marketed under Foodstuffs’ private label brands).
