Woolworths New Zealand Managing Director Spencer Sonn has welcomed the passing of the Grocery Industry Competition Bill.
"The Bill gives us a clear direction to provide great value for New Zealand shoppers," Sonn said.
He continued that Woolworths doesn't take it for granted that three million New Zealanders each week choose to do their grocery shop at the organisation's supermarket chain, adding that Woolworths was committed to improving things for them.
"We're proud to have played a constructive role throughout the market study process, and we're already well underway with implementing the Commerce Commission's recommendations."
The passing of the Bill today gives Woolworths certainty about the path forward, and it was looking forward to being a part of the future of New Zealand's dynamic grocery sector.
"Having supported a mandatory Grocery Supply Code, we now look forward to the appointment of a Grocery Commissioner and working constructively with them to ensure all grocery retailers are held to the same standards."
Actions taken by Woolworths New Zealand since the Commerce Commission's final report into the grocery sector include signing 13 agreements already with wholesale customers, and discussions are ongoing with others.
The supermarket already calculates and displays unit pricing and has consistently supported making this mandatory throughout and before the market study process. It has also worked to simplify pricing across its stores, including the rollout of electronic shelf labels, which now exist in over 30 of its stores, with a full rollout planned by the end of our 2025 financial year.
Woolworths has also refreshed its Privacy Policy and Onecard loyalty programme Terms and Conditions, making it easier for customers to understand how personal data may be used.
Sonn also said that the supermarket was proud to have been ranked as the best supermarket retailer to do business with by its suppliers for the past three years, and it has consistently supported a mandatory Grocery Code of Conduct throughout and before the market study process.
