Supermarket owners declined to help the competition watchdog with proposals they deem "radical" and "extreme", while critics say the major grocery outlet owners are "scaremongering" to halt change.
The D word – for divestment of supermarkets, wholesale warehousing, or both – will be the subject of the final part of the Commerce Commission's public conference on grocery competition.
It's wrong to say NZ shoppers pay high prices by international standards, say supermarket owners – but there are reasons our groceries are pricey.
Grocery suppliers say 'own' brands, like Pam's, are forcing them off the shelves. The supermarket owners say they're an essential choice, beloved by their customers.