Podcast appearances and mentions of sarah balle

BusinessDesk investigations editor, Victoria Young looks at the country's worst carbon emitters of the NZX50, with Fonterra topping the list. And revelations Supie founder Sarah Balle first approached PwC for help more than six months before her online grocer startup went under.

Introducing more competition into the grocery sector will be one of the first, and trickiest, tasks facing the new government.

Online grocer Supie has gone out of business today owing at least $3 million. The Auckland based independent virtual supermarket has gone into voluntary administration after launching just two and half years ago in a bid to bring more competition to the market that's dominated by the two big players. The sole director of the Supie group, Sarah Balle, made the call after a key investor pulled the pin on further funding. Today the grocer's website is down, saying it's undergoing maintenance. The group employs about 120 staff. The voluntary administrator, PWC's Richard Nacey, speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6340120132112

The failure of the online grocer Supie has renewed calls for structural intervention in the supermarket sector. Supie was set up two years ago to try and bring more competition into the market, but yesterday went into voluntary administration with debt of about 3-million dollars, after a key investor pulled out. Supie founder Sarah Balle says she is working with administrators on closing the business as efficiently as possible. Last year, the Commerce Commission published its final report into the grocery sector with one proposal, the structural separation of the wholesale food market and the forced sale of some sites - but in the end that option was not adopted. Instead, the Commission reccomended the establishment of a Grocery Commissioner and a Code of Conduct for the sector. Matthew Lane is the General Manager of the Night and Day chain of convenience stores, who says the only way real competition can happen is if it is forced upon the incumbent duopoly.

I think it's a little bit rich when you've got Chris Hipkins cancelling a debate because of Covid and people send him "best wishes" and "get well soon"s, instead of accepting the good wishes graciously and using the time to recover at home, out go attack ads saying Chris Luxon is a chicken for refusing to reschedule the debate.   They offered to put up Kelvin Davis against Christopher Luxon, but that's hardly like for like is it? National said no, if it's going to be a battle of the deputies, sure, we'll put up Nicola Willis. Labour said no, that's not good enough, we need to reschedule.   These are the last few days of the election campaign. If Labour's diary is yawning and open and has plenty of spaces that says more about them, I think than it does about National. It's really, really hard to find time to reschedule. You know, we're doing that with Christopher Luxon's team. They want to come back on. They suggested Thursday, but he's already been on for two hours with Mike, we think that might be a little bit of overkill. So they're trying to find a space in their diary with the best will in the world. To call him a chicken for refusing to debate Kelvin Davis!   It's incredible to me to think that Chris Hipkins' team did think he did such an amazing job in the last debate, like he was so brilliant, absolutely on fire, that Christopher Luxon is running scared. I don't know what debate they watched, but that's not what I saw. I saw Chris Hipkins looking better and improved, but certainly not enough to strike fear into his opponent. It just looks a bit like dirty pool. You pulled out, your problem. Don't make it Christopher Luxon's and his teams.  Onto the announcement yesterday from Labour saying that they were going to look at bank rolling companies who want to enter the New Zealand grocery market, in a bid to break up the supermarket duopoly. They've been gunning for the supermarkets for some time –remember the Commission of Inquiry into supermarkets? Labour's commerce and Consumer affairs spokesman Duncan Webb said if re-elected, Labour's support for new companies could include finance, making sure land was available, regulatory changes, incubating innovation and accelerating competition.    Webb said the behaviour by Sanitarium, who of course refused to supply The Warehouse with Weet-Bix, citing ‘supply issues', highlighted why the existing players couldn't be trusted to sort out the market. The inquiry into competition in the grocery business showed the two big companies that control the grocery industry are making excess profits of around $1 million a day.   I don't know what excess profits are. What's the excess? How much are you allowed to make before it becomes excess? So I've never really understood what they mean by excess profits, but nonetheless, following the inquiry, Labour established a grocery code of conduct, appointed a Commissioner, banned restrictive land agreements that locked new entrants out of locations for new supermarkets (which I think that was a good move), made unit pricing mandatory and required major grocery retailers to open wholesale offerings. But that's apparently not enough, hence the government saying, hey, if we get in anybody who wants to start up a grocery store contact us.   Why? Why would you do that? Well, the founder of online grocery retailer Supie, Sarah Balle, spoke to the Mike Hosking Breakfast, and she supports the idea of Government funding.  “Government funding has delivered us a national airline, being Air New Zealand, it has delivered us rural broadband to areas across New Zealand so that we don't have Internet poverty. We have Government funded electricity companies, so there's absolutely a case to be made to ensure that we don't have food poverty in New Zealand. The Government is investing in a supermarket that generates returns that we can pull back into supporting food producers and really improving the health of our population.”  Umm, but are they? I mean, basically all they say it would be is a loan. It's not like they're going to take any of the profits that may or may not be made by the retailer and put them back into the food supplies. All they've said is they'll supply a loan.   ACT says it's a form of woolly corporate welfarism. National says taxpayer money should not be used to prop up or support a new entrant into the market. There's no guarantee it'll be a success. And I do wonder at the wisdom of bankrolling wannabe grocers when the big multinational companies around the world have had a look at New Zealand and said Yeah, Nah.   Grant Robertson sees the multinationals have had a look. He cited German discount supermarket ALDI as one of the players in the Australian market that people can take a look at. A spokesman for ALDI confirmed it has no current plans to expand into New Zealand. It'd be great if it did. They set up shop in Australia in 2001 and helped drive down prices. Although it took more than a decade for it to become the country's third biggest player. It costs a lot to establish a nationwide supermarket. It costs a lot to hang in there for 10 years to become profitable.   So is that what we want to do with taxpayer money? Have a punt on another supermarket? Supie is looking to expand. It's an online grocery startup, but it says it's signed up about 55,000 customers, has about 130 staff and is now planning physical stores and has already mapped out of first location. They want to be a disruptor, much like 2degrees. Supie wants a slice of the estimated $22 billion supermarket industry, which is controlled by store-owner co-operative Foodstuffs and Australian retail giant Woolworths through its Countdown chain.    Should the government be bankrolling people who want to have the Super yachts, who want to have the lovely luxury lifestyle that they see, you know, the supermarket owners in their district having? They look at the trappings of success and think, I want a bit of that. They don't realise that these people have been working 18/19/20-hour days on the shop floor for years and years and years before the pay off.   And how would it work? Do the profits go back to the Government to go back to the food producer, as Sarah was saying? I don't think so.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins says a new supermarket competitor won't enter the market without Government intervention.  It's pledged further action to break the grocery duopoly.  While details are in the early stages, help with finance, gaining land space, and making regulator changes are on the cards.  Supie Founder, Sarah Balle, told Mike Hosking that we need solutions for kiwis who live outside of the main centres.   She said that introducing internationals such as Aldi is unlikely to help kiwis who live in places like Gisborne, Whangārei, Palmerston North, and Hawke's Bay.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confusion from some smaller supermarket outlets, as the Government announces an election policy to remove GST on fresh and frozen produce. It says it would save the average household $20 a month, starting next April. Supie founder Sarah Balle says it'll add administration costs throughout the supply chain - which will reduce any savings. "To not just the fruit and vegetable growers themselves, but everyone else through the supply chain, whether it's the markets, the processors- and of course, us as a supermarket." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confusion from some smaller supermarket outlets, as the Government announces an election policy to remove GST on fresh and frozen produce. It says it would save the average household $20 a month, starting next April. Supie founder Sarah Balle says it'll add administration costs throughout the supply chain - which will reduce any savings. "To not just the fruit and vegetable growers themselves, but everyone else through the supply chain, whether it's the markets, the processors- and of course, us as a supermarket." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An online supermarket says removing GST from fruit and vegetables wouldn't be reflected at the checkout. National says Labour is poised to announce that as policy, and it's been leaked the information. The Prime Minister and his MP's will neither confirm nor deny the idea.Supie Founder Sarah Balle told Heather du Plessis-Allan that if it were to go ahead, consumers would see a one-time sugar hit. She says then the normal market pricing mechanisms of supply and demand would kick back, and then those involved would look to cover the costs of the extra administration. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Online grocery provider Supie is looking to open high-technology unmanned stores which will be open 24 hours daily. The online alternative supermarket has been running for two years and delivers to Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Rotorua. The plan is for an app to unlock the door of the store when a customer enters, with cameras picking up the items you take and the app charging your card at the end. Founder Sarah Balle says the stores will be community based. "Making it super easy so that you don't have to drive into town or to a city to access products that you'd normally shop in your top-up shop." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An online grocer is standing firm against pressure to raise its prices. Supie, which launched in 2021, says a number of its suppliers are concerned its prices are too competitive, compared with Countdown and Foodstuffs. Supie says they're being told to align with the market. Founder Sarah Balle says they believe there could be pressure on suppliers from other customers. "Or that suppliers are nervous that they might get some pressure placed on them to achieve a certain price point for their major customers." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest inflation figures are bad news for those struggling to make ends meet. The rate remains stubbornly high, sitting unchanged at 7.2 percent, with food prices still a large factor. Online grocery brand Supie reckons the high inflation has given more power to the two supermarket giants. Supie's founder Sarah Balle spoke to Guyon Espiner.

On this episode…   We catch up with Groundswell NZ Co-founder Bryce McKenzie following Thursday's tractor protest…  We talk with Supie founder Sarah Balle…  And we this week's View From the Top Paddock features the former Minister for Primary Industries, Nathan Guy… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We catch up with Supie founder Sarah Balle, who aims to create a better and fairer grocery alternative and discuss how the ag emissions pricing plan will increase inequality. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Online groceries retailer Supie doubts that the Government's move to force the country's supermarket duopoly to open to competitors will lead to lower prices. The Government has told Foodstuffs and Countdown they must loosen their grip on the grocery sector and let other retailers into the wholesale market that they currently dominate. It's also warned that if this doesn't happen, they'll be forced to sell goods at fairer prices, set by the incoming Grocery Commissioner. Supie founder Sarah Balle spoke to Susie Ferguson.

Stacks of cash will be required to create competition against the supermarket duopoly. The Government is requiring Countdown and Foodstuffs to provide competitors with fair access to their products on wholesale terms. Supie online supermarket founder, Sarah Balle, says meaningful competition will only happen when other supermarket players get bigger. She told Mike Hosking for this to occur, consumers need to change where they shop, and competitors need huge capital. Balle says there's yet to be someone with deep enough pockets to take on the billion-dollar supermarkets. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stacks of cash will be required to create competition against the supermarket duopoly. The Government is requiring Countdown and Foodstuffs to provide competitors with fair access to their products on wholesale terms. Supie online supermarket founder, Sarah Balle, says meaningful competition will only happen when other supermarket players get bigger. She told Mike Hosking for this to occur, consumers need to change where they shop, and competitors need huge capital. Balle says there's yet to be someone with deep enough pockets to take on the billion-dollar supermarkets. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country's two main supermarket chains Countdown and Foodstuffs could soon be forced to open their wholesale operations to smaller rivals. The government is expected to make an announcement later today. It would be the latest tranche of reforms following an investigation by the Commerce Commission into the supermarket sector. The Commission made a number of recommendations, and since then, the Government has already announced plans to introduce a code of conduct and a Grocery Commissioner who will have the ability to fine supermarkets who breach it. It has also recommended ending anti-competitive land wars between the big players. Kathryn speaks with the Food and Grocery Council CEO, Katherine Rich, and Sarah Balle, founder of Supie, an online grocery store.

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Sarah Balle joined First Light host Wilhelmina Shrimpton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumers shouldn't expect to see savings at the checkout any time soon.Consultation is underway on a draft code between major grocery retailers and their suppliers - the Government will also appoint a Grocery Commissioner later this year.Founder of online grocery retailer Supie, Sarah Balle, told Mike Hosking the code of conduct won't make a big difference for a while.“It's not going to move the dial in terms of lowering prices at the checkout for consumers any time soon.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumers shouldn't expect to see savings at the checkout any time soon.Consultation is underway on a draft code between major grocery retailers and their suppliers - the Government will also appoint a Grocery Commissioner later this year.Founder of online grocery retailer Supie, Sarah Balle, told Mike Hosking the code of conduct won't make a big difference for a while.“It's not going to move the dial in terms of lowering prices at the checkout for consumers any time soon.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A CO2 shortage is just another problem for food suppliers.Tegel is concerned about New Zealand's shortage of carbon dioxide gasBeer, fizzy drink, sparking wine, cheese, preserved meats, ready-to-eat meals and healthcare products could also be affected by the ongoing shortage.Supie Founder Sarah Balle told Mike Hosking consumers might not find their favourite products at the supermarket in the next few months.She says we know CO2 is used to extend the shelf life of products.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A CO2 shortage is just another problem for food suppliers.Tegel is concerned about New Zealand's shortage of carbon dioxide gasBeer, fizzy drink, sparking wine, cheese, preserved meats, ready-to-eat meals and healthcare products could also be affected by the ongoing shortage.Supie Founder Sarah Balle told Mike Hosking consumers might not find their favourite products at the supermarket in the next few months.She says we know CO2 is used to extend the shelf life of products.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supie's founder, Sarah Balle, joined Lloyd Burr to talk about the company.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has announced major legislative changes designed to reduce the power of the supermarket duopoly. The changes include an industry regulator, a mandatory code of conduct and tighter regulations around wholesale access. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark says he's putting the supermarket giants on notice. Sarah Balle, founder of Supie, joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE 

An Auckland-based online supermarket thinks the Government's changes to the supermarket industry will only give Foodstuffs and Woolworths more power. The government's clampdown on supermarkets will include a new industry regulator, compulsory unit pricing and a mandatory code of conduct. Supie delivers to more than 20,000 people across Tāmaki Makaurau. Its founder Sarah Balle spoke to Corin Dann.

Back in 2002, supermarket chains Foodtown and Woolworths were allowed to combine into the group now known as Countdown. That consolidated the market down to a duopoly of the Australian-owned Countdown and the local cooperative of Foodstuffs, which owns Pak'nSave, New World and Four Square. A new report published by the Commerce Commission this week found the duopoly has used its market power to suck profits from either side of them in the grocery supply chain to make an estimated $430m a year in superprofits. To help unpack the report's findings, Bernard talks to Sarah Balle, the founder of online grocery startup Supie.co.nz, about how hard it is going up against such a powerful duopoly, and Food and Grocery Council CEO Katherine Rich explains the fight supermarket suppliers face to be treated fairly.When the Facts Change is brought to you by The Spinoff Podcast Network together with Kiwibank. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

An anxious wait for those with skin in the supermarket game. The Commerce Commission will release its final report into the sector this morning. Last year's draft findings found the $22 billion industry isn't working well for customers. The commission could make a number of recommendations today, including introducing a third big supermarket chain.  Supie Online Supermarket Founder Sarah Balle told Mike Hosking she wants to see a major reset. “It's not just one recommendation that's really going to make a change, the industry is so complex. It involves not only consumers, but how suppliers have been treated.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An anxious wait for those with skin in the supermarket game. The Commerce Commission will release its final report into the sector this morning. Last year's draft findings found the $22 billion industry isn't working well for customers. The commission could make a number of recommendations today, including introducing a third big supermarket chain.  Supie Online Supermarket Founder Sarah Balle told Mike Hosking she wants to see a major reset. “It's not just one recommendation that's really going to make a change, the industry is so complex. It involves not only consumers, but how suppliers have been treated.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supermarkets have been a big talking points over recent months, and there's a newcomer on the scene that's made a big splash today Supie calls itself the Netflix of supermarkets, and raised $2.5 million easily in its first seed round.  Sarah Balle is the founder of Supie and she joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVE  

Supie is a new online marketplace hooking people up directly with those who grow, bake, farm and catch our food.