Podcasts about Foodstuffs

A new report from Retail NZ has revealed the state of retail crime in New Zealand - 99% of the membership of Retail NZ has experienced some form of crime or antisocial behaviour in 2023/24, that's up from 93% the year prior. I remember thinking that's a lot, National want to be working on that because they were very strong in opposition and in the election campaign saying they were going to get tough on retail crime – it seems to have got worse. It ranges from credit card fraud, shoplifting, threatening behaviour, criminal damage, or physical assault. Retail NZ's membership recorded 140,746 incidents of retail crime over that period. What I find really interesting from the report is that almost 40% of those retail crimes were not reported to police. There were a range of reasons why respondents didn't report to police. Apparently it was because of low value items not being worth the effort, the retailer discovered the offence too late, or they dealt with it directly. There were also concerns that what was the point? What was the point of telling the police? Nothing's going to happen. I would love to know from retailers at what point do you give up caring? 40% of retail crimes are not reported to police. That's a hell of a lot. When do you reach the stage of simply shrugging your shoulders and saying, what are you going to do about it? Have you become so inured to retail crime, to abusive language, to people just putting something in their pocket or putting something in their bag and walking out, you're like, well another day? I remember Chris Quinn from Foodstuffs when we were talking about people walking out with trolleys full of groceries. And I said, well, why don't you put in the measures that people have told me about overseas, where you scan your receipt and then the gates open, and your trolley and you, can walk out. If you don't have a receipt, the gates don't open – make it jolly hard to walk out with a trolley full of groceries. He said, I just don't think the public could put up with that. Yeah, we would, wouldn't we? I thought that was a really defeatist attitude. He said, you know, the majority shouldn't be punished for the minor, obviously, but I mean that is the way society works. We have rules and legislation to cater to the numpties and the low lifes and the stupid and the criminal. I personally don't mind putting my receipt to a scanner and having the gates open if it means that some arrogant arse is prevented from walking out with a trolley full of groceries and sticking two fingers to us all. I really don't mind. It would be minimal in terms of hassle, in terms of hold up. The same would be true of many retail security measures. It makes more sense to have security measures in shops and supermarkets than it does at the airport. Me taking my boots off does not help us find the Malaysian Airlines plane that crashed. It makes more sense to me to be held up slightly at the supermarket, ever so slightly if it means that people aren't getting away with it. They seem to take great delight in it, and that's what annoys me. We've got to have a zero tolerance policy to this sort of retail crime. And that means you and I have to be part of the solution. It's not just retailers, it's not just police that are going to make a difference. It's when you and I are willing to accept a little bit of inconvenience to tell the toerags and the freeloaders and the criminals that up with this we will no longer put. Draw a line in the sand and for once let the good guys prevail. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pak'nSave shoppers seem to be getting the best deal. A recent study by Foodstuffs North Island has found that New Zealand stores offer the lowest grocery prices when compared to leading retailers in Australia and the UK. The study compared 20 everyday necessities, and after adjusting for sales tax and exchange rates, Pak'nSave came out on top – cheaper than Woolworths NZ, Woolworths Australia, Tesco UK, and Aldi Australia. Foodstuff North Island CEO Chris Quin told Kerre Woodham that when they look at that data, there's a really competitive, innovative story being told. He says they don't have price match guarantees because there's just too many products to cover. Quin says supermarkets may hold up to 18 thousand different products so it would be too tricky to match them all. He told Woodham they have more holistic aims. Quin says for Pak N Save stores it's about getting the cheapest basket possible, and with New World it's about providing a good shopping experience. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A convenience store chain looking to bust up the big supermarket duopoly has a shopping list of what's needed to achieve that. The Woolworths and Foodstuffs chains dominate New Zealand's supermarket sector. A 2022 Commerce Commission report found they're making more than a million dollars in excess profits every day. Night ‘n Day chain general manager Matthew Lane spoke to Lisa Owen.

I reckon Nicola Willis is bluffing - she's having a laugh. She's not really going to take a sledge hammer to the supermarkets. She has threatened to do this, she's had consultants come and do some work on it, but she's not serious about doing it. There's two main reasons as to why not. One: Splitting up the brands like Pak N Save and New World form each other is a drastic action to take. It could affect hundreds of mum and dad-owned stores who run their own local supermarkets and form part of co-ops around the country. Then there's the problem of prices - the fact that co-ops like Foodstuffs exist means they can spread their costs around the country and make prices more even between the regions. What happens to the price of Pams biscuits at Pak N Save Kawerau if it's split from its brother and sister stores? Does it come down or go up? If it goes up, so does Nicola's credibility. Splitting retail land from wholesale also risks creating a middleman to go between the two, thus pushing prices up anyway. These are all arguments for why not. There are also arguments for these, but at this stage they're not specific, they're just - prices are too high, so we'd better do something. All that's before you even get political support for such a move - which wouldn't involve ACT - so it would need help from across the aisle. I think, in the end, the risks will be too great and the benefits not clear enough for Nicola to smash the supermarkets to smithereens. I also think she knows this and she's hoping the threat is enough to yield some results - and that it will go down well with the public, who are sick of paying through the nose for groceries every week at the checkout LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Sunday, Finance Minister, Nicola Willis, announced plans to combat the supermarket duopoly between Foodstuffs and Woolworths. This could include breaking-up or restructuring the current chains, with Cabinet also announcing a formal request for information, or RFI, into the matter. For our weekly catch up, News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel,  spoke to Te Pāti Māori's Takutai Kemp about this announcement, and whether she, and the party, thinks this will be enough to address food accessibility in Aotearoa. We also discussed the comments made by Green MP, Tamatha Paul, about the police, and whether she believes these comments have become sensationalised. Finally, we discussed the party's calls for mandatory police body cameras. But first, they started off by asking Kemp about how the party are feeling about Nicola Willis' most recent announcements into the supermarket duopoly.

As briefly touched on earlier, changes to how the supermarket duopoly in the country have been put forward by Finance Minister, Nicola Willis. Currently there are only two major supermarket chains in the country: Woolworths and Foodstuffs, with this move aiming to establish alternative options to how these companies operate. News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the Chief Executive of Consumer NZ, Jon Duffy, about these developments, and how the organisation are feeling about them. They started off by asking him how much of a concern the current duopoly is.

The Government has said all options are on the table as Finance Minister Nicola Willis issues a six-week request for information. Willis threatened to break up the current supermarket players, floating the idea of restructuring the two existing supermarket chains. Foodstuffs North Island Chief Executive Chris Quinn talks to Mike Hosking about the announcement. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A grocery sector expert says he's pleasantly surprised by Nicola Willis's plans for the sector. The Economic Growth Minister has confirmed she's seeking advice on potentially breaking up the supermarket duopoly. That could include separating the retail and wholesale arms of Foodstuffs and Woolworths. Ernie Newman says told Andrew Dickens he was sceptical before the announcement but is impressed by what he's heard. He says Nicola Willis has come across as a "minister on a mission" and she's done her homework.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where's the grocery commissioner? Wasn't he going to get cheaper groceries for all of us? That was the idea. But he hasn't. So is Nicola Willis going to do it? My prediction, is she won't. Because, no matter how much we would all like to pay less at the supermarket, the two ideas she announced yesterday are duds. And I'm picking that, if you did a grocery shop yesterday afternoon, the Government's announcement-of-an-announcement yesterday morning did nothing to soften the blow when you went through the checkout. So the Government wants to see a foreign operator coming here. Which is never going to happen. For the simple reason that foreign operators have bigger fish to fry elsewhere. German supermarket company Aldi is often touted as a potential foreign outfit that could come here and create more competition. It's kind-of here already, because it's been registered with the New Zealand Companies Office since 2000. But it hasn't bothered doing anything more - focusing on Australia, instead. But, despite Aldi operating across the Tasman, Australians are still paying through the nose. Just over a week ago, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission put-out a report saying that Coles, Woolworths and Aldi are among the most profitable supermarket chains in the world. Prices there have risen sharply over the past five years. With the supermarkets increasing profit margins during that time, as well. Sound familiar? And just like here, politicians in Australia are all promising to do something about it. But, like here, it will be all talk and won't amount to anything. And, in five years time, shoppers on both sides of the Tasman will still be paying through the nose and politicians will be floating go-nowhere ideas. But if you forced me to pick one of the ideas Nicola Willis announced yesterday that I think could actually work, it would be this threat she made yesterday to force the two big companies to sell some of their supermarket brands, to create more competition and reduce their dominance. If you forced me to choose one, I'd chose that one. But it's a terrible idea. David Seymour doesn't like it, either. Saying that, if the Government poked its nose in this way into Foodstuffs and Woolworths operations, it would put businesses off investing in New Zealand. Which I agree with. I think it could. And it's a weird thing for the Government to be proposing just two weeks after it had all the money people over here from around the world trying to get them to invest in New Zealand. Looking at the rules the Commerce Commission uses to decide whether to allow things like mergers to go ahead, they're all about preventing situations like we have with supermarkets in New Zealand. Not enough competition - all that stuff. Which is fine when you're deciding whether-or-not to allow a merger. But for the Government to try and do that retrospectively, which is what it would effectively be doing, would be a terrible thing. It would be a terrible thing for the supermarket companies. It would also be a terrible thing for the Government's sale pitch to the world. That New Zealand is open for business; that we want businesses to come here; and that we're getting rid of some of the red tape to make it easier come here. It would say 'we're doing all that but, if you do come here, we might tell you what to do with your business if we think there are a few votes in it for us'. But the ideas Nicola Willis announced yesterday won't win votes. Because they won't go anywhere.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As briefly touched on earlier, changes to how the supermarket duopoly in the country have been put forward by Finance Minister, Nicola Willis. Currently there are only two major supermarket chains in the country: Woolworths and Foodstuffs, with this move aiming to establish alternative options to how these companies operate. News and Editorial Director and Monday Wire Host, Joel, spoke to the Chief Executive of Consumer NZ, Jon Duffy, about these developments, and how the organisation are feeling about them. They started off by asking him how much of a concern the current duopoly is.

This week, it's an episode 251 extravaganza as David and Matt sit down to review The Sixth Doctor's best story (apparently) 'Revelation Of The Daleks'.Doctor Who theme by Ron Grainer, arranged by Alexander Erben.Talk to us! Email: timenorspacepod@gmail.comTwitter: @timenorspacepod 

There continues to be mixed reaction and confusion over a notification involving the use of Cannabis in South Africa which was published in the Government Gazette and signed by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi. Minister Motsoaledi announced a prohibition on the sale, importation and manufacture of foodstuffs containing any part of the cannabis plant or component derived from its hemp, hemp seed oil or hemp seed flour. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Danmari Duguid, an independent business consultant and former attorney who specialises in emerging markets such as Cannabis

There are positive signs of inflationary pressures easing in supermarkets. Latest data from Infometrics and Foodstuffs shows suppliers charged supermarkets 1.8% more last month than the same month last year. That's the lowest increase in more than three years. Infometrics Chief Executive Brad Olsen says many fruit and vegetables have been getting cheaper, while dairy prices are driving costs increases. He says chocolate, coffee, and noodles are also seeing jumps. Olsen told Mike Hosking that it's not perfect, but it's in a much better position. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's confident it can bring an end to New Zealand's grocery duopoly. It's laying out plans to challenge the incumbents, Foodstuffs and Woolworths, and remove regulations discouraging competition. It wants to pave the way for a new player to enter the supermarket sector. Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis told Mike Hosking there has been competition in the past. She says the country let the supermarkets merge together and turn into two mega entities. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lovely tease yesterday from the government, aimed at those of us still hurting at the cost of putting food in the supermarket trolley. The government wants more competition in the grocery sector. It was a nicely timed message – despite all the big picture talk of foreign investment, a new economic ministry, and a focus on growth, growth, growth, the government has not forgotten that most Kiwis are dealing with simpler day to day challenges, like affording groceries. But the announcement by Finance and Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis at the University of Waikato Economics Forum in Hamilton was very much connected to the Government's economic growth plan. And look that's not a bad thing. Got to love a government with focus, or at least messaging focus. The issue is – there isn't really a plan here at all. The Government's has said it's receptive to cracking down on pricing and helping new entrants access land and properties. Willis said that if a new competitor presented a proposal to her she would be willing to “do a deal”, and give them the VIP treatment through a bespoke arrangement. There was a mention of existing proposals – that Willis knew of companies possibly interested, but for commercial reasons she wouldn't disclose who they were. Who knows how serious these contenders are? Do they have a well considered proposal, or was it a conversation in a Koru lounge? It all sounds quite hypothetical. Those with knowledge of the grocery industry will tell you that the only way a third party could make a go of it here, they would need roughly 140 outlets, set up a billion-dollar supply chain, and would require the big players to be broken up for any competition on price or sustainability. It's a lot. Willis says she's up for the fight, but if forced divestment of some properties by incumbents is needed it will be some scrap - one the previous government did not push ahead with. So I'm not entirely sure what this tease has accomplished other than some friendly headlines, a gentle poke at Foodstuffs and Woolworths, and to continue the Kiwi distant dream of lower prices if a third party entered the New Zealand supermarket scene. So, the great supermarket talkathon continues.... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It could be too little too late when it comes to encouraging a third supermarket to New Zealand. The Government's repeated the call that we need more competition - to pressure prices. It's laying out plans to challenge the incumbents, Foodstuffs and Woolworths - and remove regulations discouraging competition. Former pre cursor to the Food and Grocery Council chief executive Ernie Newman told Francesca Rudkin the time has past and the focus should be on breaking up the existing sector. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's growing potential for a new player to tackle New Zealand's two-horse supermarket race. The Government's laying out intentions to encourage a third player to challenge the two incumbents of Foodstuffs and Woolworths. It's planning to remove regulations discouraging other supermarkets competing. Economic Growth and Finance Minister Nicola Willis told Kerre Woodham the Government has the power to make the market more attractive. She confirms there's interest, and says she's been informed there has been a proposal. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Leaders Getting Coffee episode 34, our guest is Foodstuffs CEO, Chris Quin. The supermarket industry is never far from the headlines. Whether we’re talking about grocery prices, retail crime or allegations of monopoly pricing, the supermarket is front and centre. But they are also massive businesses playing a critical role in our daily lives and our communities. Chris Quin is the CEO of Foodstuffs North Island, the largest grocery business in New Zealand. His leadership experiences have seen him through an outstanding career that includes over two decades at Telecom/Spark, before joining the grocery giant. He grew up in a family that moved around a lot but ultimately settled in Wellington where he attended St Pat’s Silverstream College near Wellington, where he became Head Boy. An accounting degree from Victoria University followed, while working part time at a supermarket (what else?) to pay his way through his studies. During the Leaders Getting Coffee podcast Chris Quin speaks passionately about the twenty-four years he spent at Telecom and Spark, his passion for technology and his two failed attempts at winning the top job there. But it was the challenges of the grocery world that ultimately saw him sit in the CEO’s office, and from where he has made his mark for the last decade. We talk in detail about the drive to keep groceries affordable and the efforts to merge Foodstuffs’ North and South Island businesses in order to continue the search for maximum productivity. Quin is forthright in his views of the importance of the merger and his reaction to the Commerce Commission ruling that it should not proceed. We also discuss the alarming boost in retail crime over recent years, and how facial recognition technology is one of many technology-based tools helping to win that fight. Chris Quin is the leader of one of our biggest businesses, and one with which we all interact more than any other. In sharing his experiences there are plenty of lessons for aspiring and established leaders alike.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police can search the retail surveillance network that recorded a shopping incident involving former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman, even when no complaint has been made. Ghahraman was stopped and questioned by store security at Royal Oak's Pak'nSave in the weeks before her High Court case in early October. Foodstuffs says it did not complain to police. Surveillance network Auror is used by retailers - including Foodstuffs - and confirms police can access the information those clients record. CEO Phil Thompson says the system lets all the parties work closely together. "Retailers are capturing information on crimes and attempted crimes that happen in their stores and making that visible to their own head office - and also to police." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the Best of the Wire today, Oto and Sasha reflected on their favourite interviews over the past year as the bFM news team heads into the holiday period. In April this year, Oto did an on the ground interview with Students for Fair Rent Chairman - Matthew Lee and Green Party Co-Leader - Chloe Swarbrick at a protest held by Students for Fair Rent calling for a rent strike and end to the cost of living crisis at the University of Auckland's halls of residence. A month later, Oto spoke to organisers and attendees at another protest held by Students for Justice in Palestine - Auckland, around the time that Palestinian solidarity encampments were being held at universities across the globe. In July, Oto spoke with Professor Emmy Rākete from the Department of Social Sciences at the University of Auckland to discuss the findings of the Abuse in Care Inquiry and how abuse in state and faith-based institutions lead to a prison pipeline that disproportionately affected Māori. And, in his funniest and most light-hearted Interview, Oto spoke to comedian and professor in the department of chemical sciences at the University of Auckland - Dr Joel Rindelaub, to discuss the impacts of microplastics on the human brain and body. In October, Sasha had a chat with Doctor Alex Beattie - a lecturer in Media and Communication at Victoria University of Wellington, to discuss why New Zealanders are becoming more distrustful of the media and why the younger generation is becoming more apathetic. And, in September, Sasha talked to Associate Professor Laszlo Sajtos at the University of Auckland Business School about the trial usage of facial recognition technology by Foodstuffs in their North Island outlets.

For the Best of the Wire today, Oto and Sasha reflected on their favourite interviews over the past year as the bFM news team heads into the holiday period. In April this year, Oto did an on the ground interview with Students for Fair Rent Chairman - Matthew Lee and Green Party Co-Leader - Chloe Swarbrick at a protest held by Students for Fair Rent calling for a rent strike and end to the cost of living crisis at the University of Auckland's halls of residence. A month later, Oto spoke to organisers and attendees at another protest held by Students for Justice in Palestine - Auckland, around the time that Palestinian solidarity encampments were being held at universities across the globe. In July, Oto spoke with Professor Emmy Rākete from the Department of Social Sciences at the University of Auckland to discuss the findings of the Abuse in Care Inquiry and how abuse in state and faith-based institutions lead to a prison pipeline that disproportionately affected Māori. And, in his funniest and most light-hearted Interview, Oto spoke to comedian and professor in the department of chemical sciences at the University of Auckland - Dr Joel Rindelaub, to discuss the impacts of microplastics on the human brain and body. In October, Sasha had a chat with Doctor Alex Beattie - a lecturer in Media and Communication at Victoria University of Wellington, to discuss why New Zealanders are becoming more distrustful of the media and why the younger generation is becoming more apathetic. And, in September, Sasha talked to Associate Professor Laszlo Sajtos at the University of Auckland Business School about the trial usage of facial recognition technology by Foodstuffs in their North Island outlets.

A six-month facial recognition trial at 25 Foodstuffs North Island stores reduced harm by 16% across the board. The initiative prevented more than 100 serious in-store incidents, including assault. General counsel for Foodstuffs North Island Julian Benefield speaks with Heather du Plessis-Allan about this as well as the ‘onion trick' being used at checkouts. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foodstuffs North Island says its trial of facial recognition technology has resulted in a 16 percent reduction in serious harm in its supermarkets. Foodstuffs North Island's General Counsel Julian Benefield spoke to Corin Dann.

Consumer NZ boss Jon Duffy joins Kathryn to highlight his organisation's concerns over the recently completed FRT trial in Foodstuffs stores.

A Taupo-based company is working to reduce New Zealand's reliance on imported packaging Following the single-use-plastic ban in 2019 two childhood friends looked into who was manufacturing paper locally and discovered that much of the paper produced here was exported to Asia, converted into paper bags, and then sent back to New Zealand The friends then set up 'Gratpak' and began manufacturing bags here. They now supply 25 to 30 million bags a year to Foodstuffs. 'Gratpak General Manager Stephen Folcarelli talks to Jesse.

I think at times the Commerce Commission has an easy job in the sense it starts out life, in appearance anyway, as being on “our side. "Our” side being the people's side. We need a hero, a protector to keep the big bad boys away from our lives and wallets. Lately though, they look like they might have a large legal budget that someone has told them to spend or else they will lose it. So out come the lawyers to take on Starlink over their claims about being able to text anywhere in the country. This case looks literal. You can't say you can text from anywhere if I can literally find a place where you can't. The room for adult interpretation appears to be devoid of presence in this case. Then we get to Foodstuffs, who are to appeal a ruling by the Commerce Commission on its merger. The interesting bit about Foodstuffs is that they unfortunately are a supermarket, and supermarkets are hated because they sell stuff at prices we have decided are too high. They are in the same category as banks, telcos, petrol stations, and airlines, who are all out there to rip us off, bleed us dry, and generally make life miserable. Foodstuffs have two bits in the North Island and the South Island. They want to join the two bits together. From a business perspective it makes perfect sense because you are playing with scale and scale is generally good. But scale also reduces numbers in the market, and it may well reduce competition. Where we appear a bit stuck in this country is that very fine and, quite probably, indefinable line between letting people get on with business, creating an environment in which business prospers, more businesses wanting to open, and killing business by over regulating it, driven in part by fear over lack of competition and the punter being ripped off. What will be interesting is whether Foodstuffs can argue their case on fact, or on what clearly is an overarching zeitgeist. The banks appeared in front of the Government committee into banking. They made a very plausible and reasonable case around their profits. It will make no difference though because the Government doesn't want to hear it. Maybe Foodstuffs are the same. What is a decent price? What is a decent margin? What is the choice for a punter who sees a can of beans at a higher price in one place, so goes elsewhere? Is a court even required if the zeitgeist around business and its success is predetermined, whether sensibly, logically, or not? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A competition lawyer says it'll be very unlikely Foodstuff's appeal will succeed. The Commerce Commission declined its merger of its North and South Island arms- saying it would lessen grocery competition and hurt suppliers. Foodstuffs North Islands chief executive, Chris Quin, says the change would actually make it easier for suppliers. Lawyer Neil Anderson says it's unlikely a case like this will go to court, with even less chance of winning. "The commercial parties, by the time they've been through a clearance process and then are faced with an appeal process - they'll push it out a further six months, it's quite unusual for a deal to survive that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Partner Geoff Petersen explores the new role for governments in the energy transition, taking the lead on targets and infrastructure and making sure consumers aren't left behind. But what's left for market mechanisms and national regulation? Plus the recalibrated merger reform bill hits Parliament with something for everyone in the notification thresholds; more supermarket scrutiny here and around the world; greenwashing in fashion and finance; big penalties for those Qantas ghost flights and a speeding ticket for Honda under the right-to-repair scheme. All this and plenty of disfluencies with co-hosts Moya Dodd and Matt Rubinstein.   Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder, "Together in Electric Dreams"  Breakin'/Breakdance 2: Electric Boogaloo trailer  G+T on the new merger reform bill and updated notification thresholds   The ACCC's Grocery Inquiry 2008 and Supermarkets Inquiry 2024: was/now  The Prime Minister on shrinkflation  NZ Commerce Commission declines to clear the Foodstuffs merger  The Warehouse, where everyone gets a bargain  G+T's regular wrap-up on consumer law enforcement, Shop Talk  G+T on ASIC's hat-trick in greenwashing cases  The CMA's tailored guidance on greenwashing for fashion brands  ACCC v Qantas and inflight meals at home  The Motor Vehicle Information Scheme and Honda and Panasonic in the first Fast and Furious heist  Make your own podcast with Google's NotebookLM  Meet the Gilbert + Tobin Competition, Consumer + Market Regulation team  Email us at edge@gtlaw.com.au   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foodstuffs is pushing back on claims our groceries cost more than the rest of the world. Year-on-year inflation for comparable products has remained flat on 0 percent, according to the co-op. Blame is being put on GST for pushing up prices – Australia, for example gets, meat, fish, produce, milk and more GST-free. Foodstuffs New Zealand managing director Chris Quin joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suppliers to supermarkets appear to be charging more, more often. Which comes with a warning it could be the new norm. Foodstuffs has commissioned a report by Infometrics tracking the prices of 60,000 products — which has found they appear to keep gradually rising by 2.3 percent a year. Infometrics CEO and principal economist Brad Olsen joined Mike Hosking. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wire host Caeden spoke to University of Sydney's Lisa Asher on the declined Foodstuffs merger and what it means for grocery prices and the supermarket duopoly.

The Grocery Action Group says a Commerce Commission decision to block the Foodstuffs merger is good news, but it won't help Kiwis struggling at the checkout. Grocery Action Group Chairperson Sue Chetwin spoke to Corin Dann.

THE BEST BITS IN A SILLIER PACKAGE (from Wednesday's Mike Hosking Breakfast) How Long Will Wellington Put Up With This?/Foodstuffs Merger Was Never Going to Happen/VP Vibes/Unfounded Parking Concerns/Just Another Neanderthal CometSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foodstuffs has argued a merger blocked by the Commerce Commission would benefit consumers and suppliers. The competition watchdog has decided merging the chain's North and South Island co-ops would substantially lessen competition. Foodstuffs North Island CEO Chris Quin says they're likely to appeal the decision - based on the evidence they have at this point. He says the move would only have changed the support each retailer received. "Which is out of sight of customers and a part of retail competition - to bring it together in a more efficient way so that we can keep delivering value and innovation for New Zealanders. That's the disappointing thing about today's outcome." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, the boss of New Zealand's biggest bank wants a Capital Gains Tax, and Labour says it's looking at its tax policy and is considering capital gains, wealth, or capital income taxes, Foodstuffs says using facial recognition in 25 New World and PAK'nSAVE stores has cut crime, more than 556 people have been reported killed in Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon, a survey by employment website Seek says that only 62 percent of New Zealanders consider themselves happy at work, and a taxidermy showdown kicks off on Wednesday in Taupo.

Foodstuffs says using facial recognition in 25 New World and PAK'nSAVE stores has cut crime. Foodstuffs North Island General Counsel Julian Benefield spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 25th of September, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster is done and moving on in November, six months early. So how did he find his time in the job?  What have the results been from Foodstuffs facial recognition trial and will it be brought out all around the country?    And on Politics Wednesday, things get a bit tetchy between Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen when it comes to Coster and how much is achieved in the first year of a new Government.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Western society is limiting our brain function (Part 2) with Dr. Rachel Taylor Black Spy Podcast, Season 16, Episode 0010   In this week's Black Spy podcast Carlton continues his discussion with Dr Rachel Taylor as to the effects on our brains of the way we live our lives today. Does the fear of speaking out against the prevailing views, held by government, employers and society at large, whatever they may be, have an effect on our brains and our psyche? Are we limiting our brain power? Can such processes of self vetting even make us unwell? We explore all such issues and aspects with DR Rachel, a specialist in this area and other so domains. Consequently, this episode, and episode two, should answer any lingering questions that you might have concerning your brain and body well-being as it relates to the effect that of modern Western living could have on your mental and indeed physical health. As always, please don't be afraid to contact us and put any questions you might have to any of the Black Spy Podcast team concerning this or any other of our fascinating subjects. And, if you want to continue learning whilst being entertained, please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you'll never miss another episode. To contact Firgas Esack of the DAPS Agency go to Linked In To contact Carlton King by utilising any of the following: To donate - Patreon.com/TheBlackSpyPodcast Email: carltonking2003@gmail.com Facebook: The Black Spy Podcast Facebook: Carlton King Author Twitter@Carlton_King Instagram@carltonkingauthor To read Carlton's Autobiography: “Black Ops – The incredible true story of a (Black) British secret agent” Click the link below: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/BO1MTV2GDF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_WNZ5MT89T9C14CB53651

How Western society is limiting our brain function with Dr Rachel Taylor (Part 1) Black Spy Podcast, Season 16, Episode 0009   In this week's Black Spy podcast Carlton asks Dr Rachel Taylor what the effects are on our brains of the way we live our lives today. Does the fear of speaking out against the prevailing views, held by government, employers and society at large, whatever they may be, have an effect on our brains and our psyche? Are we limiting our brain power? Can such processes of self vetting even make us unwell? We explore all such issues and aspects with DR Rachel, a specialist in this area and other so domains. Consequently, this episode, and episode two, should answer any lingering questions that you might have concerning your brain and body well-being as it relates to the effect that of modern Western living could have on your mental and indeed physical health. As always, please don't be afraid to contact us and put any questions you might have to any of the Black Spy Podcast team concerning this or any other of our fascinating subjects. And, if you want to continue learning whilst being entertained, please don't forget to subscribe to the Black Spy Podcast for free, so you'll never miss another episode. To contact Firgas Esack of the DAPS Agency go to Linked In To contact Carlton King by utilising any of the following: To donate - Patreon.com/TheBlackSpyPodcast Email: carltonking2003@gmail.com Facebook: The Black Spy Podcast Facebook: Carlton King Author Twitter@Carlton_King Instagram@carltonkingauthor   To read Carlton's Autobiography: “Black Ops – The incredible true story of a (Black) British secret agent” Click the link below: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/BO1MTV2GDF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_WNZ5MT89T9C14CB53651

The grocery commissioner Pierre van Heerden is waving a red flag about the state of competition across the country's big supermarkets. The Commission's first report since last year's reforms said competition hasn't improved, with the two major chains - Foodstuffs and Woolworths - still making big bucks at the expense of suppliers and consumers. Those consumers agree with the commissioner: it's not good enough, reporter Lauren Crimp got their reaction.

The Commerce Minister says a third big player in our supermarket sector is unlikely to come from overseas. A first annual Commerce Commission report on the grocery market has found no meaningful improvement in competition. It wants New Zealand's two major operators - Foodstuffs and Woolworths - pressured more and for it to be made it easier for a third to enter. Minister Andrew Bayly says overseas giants like Aldi aren't interested in moving over to New Zealand. "I've been talking to one or two other players who could possibly come to New Zealand - but right now, I couldn't put my hand on my heart and say there are lots of people lining up." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Advocacy organisation the Grocery Action Group is calling Foodstuffs' latest actions "a serious breach of customer trust". Grocery Action Group chair Suzanne Chetwin spoke to Corin Dann.

Reuben Woods has advised on some of New Zealand's biggest transactions - everything from Foodstuffs, to billion-dollar tech company deals, to TVNZ getting free cricket on the airwaves.

Charles de Wet, Executive at ENS in the Tax Practice, discusses President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent announcement to cushion South Africans from the soaring cost of living. The government plans to expand the list of food items exempted from value-added tax (VAT) and will review the fuel levy as outlined in Ramaphosa's address at the opening of parliament.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Owners of Foodstuffs supermarkets have voted in favour of Foodstuff merging its North and South Island operations. Foodstuffs North Island chief executive Chris Quin spoke to Corin Dann.

Local grocery store owners are supporting Foodstuffs' merger.  The country's biggest supermarket operator is a step closer to merging its North and South Island divisions after 99% of owners voted in support.  The future co-op's designated CEO, Chris Quin, told Mike Hosking that they're not surprised at the result.  He says they've done a lot of work to ensure the families who own their stores understand why the merger would be good for their customers and community.  The merger's still subject to Commerce Commission and High Court approval.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grocery retailer Foodstuffs says there have been nearly double the number of crimes at their outlets in the last two years. Foodstuffs North Island General Counsel Julian Benefield spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

There's been a shift in what goes in the shopping basket and what stays on the shelf.  Data from Stats NZ shows food prices increased 0.8% in the 12 months to April.  The slight increase is driven by grocery items, particularly chocolate, olive oil, and potato chips.  Foodstuffs Chief Executive Chris Quin told Mike Hosking that inflation has maxed out quite a few people's budgets.  He has no doubt people will be having to swap out brands or avoid things considered to be luxuries.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a big year already for the supermarket sector. Woolworths has rolled out a new loyalty programme, while Foodstuffs is embarking on a trial of facial recognition technology. And across the Ditch, Woolworths Australia boss Brad Banducci called it quits following a disastrous interview he gave on the issue of price gouging. Gemma Rasmussen, head of communications and campaigns at Consumer NZ, joins Kathryn to break down the developments.

We're returning to the theme of renaming, for two food-related renamings: the first one that mostly happened, the second that mostly did not - but in a good way. Dr Erin Pritchard persuaded a British supermarket to rebrand a type of sweets that had a slur in their name. And Chris Strikes recounts the renaming conflict that was the Toronto Patty Wars of 1985. Content note: the first part of the episode concerns an ableist slur, so there are incidences of that slur, and discussion of ableism and later anti-Black racism. Find out more about this episode and the topics therein and read the transcript at theallusionist.org/gemsandpatties. This episode was produced by me, Helen Zaltzman. Martin Austwick of Neutrino Watch and Song By Song podcasts provides the Allusionist music. Become a member of the Allusioverse at theallusionist.org/donate and as well as keeping this independent podcast going, you get regular livestreams and watchalong parties - AND to hang out with your fellow Allusionauts in our delightful Discord community. You can also sign up for free to receive occasional email reminders about Allusionist stuff. The Allusionist's online home is theallusionist.org. Stay in touch via facebook.com/allusionistshow, instagram.com/allusionistshow, youtube.com/allusionistshow and twitter.com/allusionistshow. Our ad partner is Multitude. If you want me to talk lovingly and winningly about your product or thing on the show in 2024, sponsor an episode: contact Multitude at multitude.productions/ads. This episode is sponsored by: • Catan, the endlessly reconfigurable social board game. Shop at catanshop.com/allusionist and get 10% off the original base game CATAN by using the promo code ALLUSIONIST at checkout. • Ravensburger, who make the world's largest Disney jigsaw puzzle - 40,320 pieces! As well as many other sizes of puzzles. Buy Ravensburger puzzles in your preferred puzzle emporium.• Bombas, whose mission is to make the comfiest clothes ever, and match every item sold with an equal item donated. Go to bombas.com/allusionist to get 20% off your first purchase. • Squarespace, your one-stop shop for building and running your online empire. Go to squarespace.com/allusionist for a free 2-week trial, and get 10 percent off your first purchase of a website or domain with the code allusionist. Support the show: http://patreon.com/allusionistSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.