Smaller grocery retailers ‘absolutely need help’ from govt – Supie

Employee numbers grew from 50 at the start of the year to 150. (Image: Supie)

Fri, 13 Oct 2023

The founder of grocery startup Supie says she never thought the government would take steps to change the supermarket space, but the sector desperately needs it if New Zealand’s duopoly-controlled grocery sector is ever going to change.“What I've seen in the market now that we've been trading for two and a bit years is we absolutely need help,” Sarah Balle told BusinessDesk. “We need a New Zealand-born solution that really understands the NZ market, logistics, supply chain, and supporting NZ food producers.&rdquo...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Opinion

Eden Bradfield: Stewart’s Comvita bid ain’t that sweet

Honey firm’s takeover bid is hard to swallow.

Eden Bradfield 5:00am

On the Money

On the Money: Jason Walbridge, Julian Cook, Te Arikinui, and more

Dileepa Fonseka 5:00am

Opinion

Simon Robertson: Gamification – it’s coming for you

How smart companies game your life to make money.

Simon Robertson 5:00am

Sponsored

Move-in ready offices: How business are rethinking workspace

Businesses want agility – and office space is evolving fast

Sponsored by Precinct Properties

Sponsored

NZ risks losing edge as Australia takes lead in cleaner jet fuel

Experts warn SAF delay could cost jobs and growth.

Z Energy

More Markets

Opinion

Simon Robertson: Gamification – it’s coming for you

How smart companies game your life to make money.

Simon Robertson 5:00am

Markets Market Close

NZ stocks end firm after Sky, Vulcan, annual meetings

There were 84 rises and 54 falls on the main board.

Jamie Gray 31 Oct 2025

Primary Sector

Rising volumes push Port of Tauranga profit outlook higher

Port of Tauranga expects its full-year net profit after tax to fall somewhere between $137 million and $147m.The NZX-listed port company’s container volumes increased 9% to 319,649 TEUs in the first three months to Sept 30.Total trade increased 5.9% in volume compared to the same...

Staff reporters 31 Oct 2025

Markets

SkyCity faces Adelaide reckoning by year-end

Casino operator releases details about regulatory situation in Adelaide.

Dileepa Fonseka 31 Oct 2025

Smaller grocery retailers ‘absolutely need help’ from govt – Supie

More Markets

Your company has a subscription

Team