Supermarkets are sitting ducks for pro-competition regulation

Supermarkets are sitting ducks for pro-competition regulation
The political incentives are aligning to make an example of uncompetitive supermarkets. (Image: Getty)
Cameron Bagrie
Do not underestimate the incentive for the government to go hard on the supermarkets. Other sectors should be paying attention.This is not just because of industry-related issues such as those highlighted by the Commerce Commission’s report into the retail grocery sector. It is also because building inflationary pressures are not likely to be economically or voter-friendly. Levers to contain inflation should be eyed, and moving quickly on supermarkets is one.Obvious targets There are the obvious reasons for action on superm...

More Retail

Kitchen Things on brink, $16.6m owed: Administrators
Retail

Kitchen Things on brink, $16.6m owed: Administrators

The retailer made a $4.7m loss in the year to March 2025.

Gregor Thompson 18 Sep 2025
Life insurance market shrinks
Finance Risky Business

Life insurance market shrinks

Foreign firms dominate as affordability, tax and access barriers stymie growth.

Michael Neilson 18 Sep 2025
The quiet rise of ‘ghost brands’
Retail

The quiet rise of ‘ghost brands’

About 90% of the 80-odd Pita Pit stores now have virtual brands operating in them.

Gregor Thompson 17 Sep 2025
‘Unusual’ volume of CCCFA changes in focus
Finance

‘Unusual’ volume of CCCFA changes in focus

Select committee mulls proposed changes to CCCFA, to report recommendations Oct 20.

Andy Macdonald 16 Sep 2025