The Commerce Commission released an update on its Wholesale Supply inquiry.
The Grocery Commissioner has published an open letter to the industry outlining the Commission's expectations, explaining how it will engage with industry and monitor progress.
This letter sets out that, following the Commission's consultation on the Preliminary Findings Paper, the Commission maintain a preference for industry-led behaviour change, as it remains the quickest and most efficient way to address wholesale supply issues.
The letter sets out broad expectations on areas such as price, range and access. The Commission will seek further engagement with industry, including submissions by 5 pm Friday, the 5th of December 2025.
The Commerce Commission have also released a factsheet which outlines the Commission's expectations in more detail.
This followed the Government's Fast Track Approvals Amendment Bill, which created an express consenting lane for new supermarkets, and was debated in Parliament last week and referred to the Environment Select Committee. The Select Committee are seeking public submissions, due by the 17th of November.
Raewyn Bleakley, Chief Executive, NZ Food & Grocery Council Members, said this will be a topic of discussion at the NZFGC Annual Conference and at future webinars with the Commerce Commission.
According to the Commission, suppliers and RGRs have an opportunity to change their behaviour to meet its expectations. Its view is that industry-led behaviour change is the quickest and most efficient way to address wholesale supply issues without imposing additional regulation.
“We will be monitoring progress closely. The extent to which industry takes ownership and drives meaningful change will contribute to our assessment of whether further intervention is needed.”
The Commission has published 16 submissions received on its Preliminary Findings Paper, including those from Consumer NZ, Edgecumbe Supermarket, Foodstuffs North and South Island, New Zealand Food & Grocery Council, Night ‘n Day, Paddock to Pantry, United Fresh, Woolworths New Zealand, and eight anonymous submissions.
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