Govt keeping close eye on supermarkets

AUCKLAND: The Government is keeping close tabs on the nation’s supermarket duopoly through the national lockdown and ministers will today discuss a range of topics facing the grocery chains.

Pricing, staffing and stock levels are among issues that will be discussed before Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gives a more general update on supermarkets, she said yesterday.

‘‘It is something that we’re keeping a very watchful eye on: every element — the amount of stock that people are seeing, the ability of supermarkets to restock, and any pricing issues,’’ she said.

Supermarkets faced unprecedented demand in the lead up to the lockdown, and posted record sales as people stocked up.

That has led to claims of some price hikes.

Ms Ardern said Commerce Minister Kris Faafoi had been quick to contact supermarket chief executives over those accusations.

Last week, Mr Faafoi directed the Commerce Commission to adopt a looser interpretation of competition laws to recognise the national emergency.

However, price gouging or hoarding will not be tolerated.

Ministers will also discuss whether to let supermarkets trade through the Good Friday and Easter Sunday holiday — two days that most retailers are prohibited from opening.

Ms Ardern said the Government was in frequent contact with the chief executives of the supermarket chains and will raise the Easter trading issue with them as well.

A decision would need to be made soon, she said.

‘‘But I would like to talk to the leadership within the chains just because of workforce issues and so on.’’

Ms Ardern said she was also getting advice from Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Iain LeesGalloway about reports that some supermarket operators were requiring atrisk staff — those over 70 or with compromised immunity — to take annual and unpaid leave.

Sick leave subsidies have been introduced into the wider wage support package, which can only be accessed by firms hit by Covid19.

Ms Ardern said that meant supermarkets were in an unusual position in that they had not experienced a downturn from Covid19, and she was seeking more advice on the matter. — BusinessDesk

❛ I would like to talk to the leadership within the chains just because of workforce issues

and so on