Nicola Willis to consider break-up of supermarket duopoly, wants another big competitor in NZ

The Government is considering a possible break-up of New Zealand’s supermarket duopoly in an effort to boost competition as high grocery prices continue to sting Kiwis. Finance Minister Nicola Willis, in an announcement this morning, said she was concerned “significant action may be required to foster genuine competition ..

. I have commissioned specialist external advice on the ways in which the existing supermarket duopoly could be restructured to improve competition”. Willis says she has commissioned external advice on ways in which the existing supermarket duopoly could be restructured to improve conditions, including a de-merger of existing brands.



“I do not take this step lightly ...

Today, I am putting the supermarkets on notice.” “I am not waiting – that’s why I am, in real-time, taking advice on what structural separation could look like.”.