The Commerce Commission’s report into New Zealand’s supermarket sector has been criticised for not going far enough to reduce food prices, but the answer to the current duopoly might lie in treating the sector as a public utility instead of a private industry.
When the commission’s report was released last week, many were disappointed the watch dog didn’t propose stronger measures to rein in the sector. The commission called for a mandatory code of conduct between supermarkets and suppliers. It also recommended greater transparency around specials and loyalty programmes.
