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NEW ZEALAND RETAIL & GROCERY NEWS:
Simon GordonPurchasing expert joins Nosh (11 Mar 10)
Nosh Food Market shareholder Simon Gordon has joined the business as a working director responsible for the supply chain. Gordon (38) is a good friend of Nosh co-founder Clinton Beuvink and became a shareholder in the business about 12 months ago. He recently returned to New Zealand after 11 years in the food and chemicals industries offshore. Gordon’s most recent position was with Henkel based out of the UK where he was leading a global raw materials purchasing team with budgets in the region of €3 billion. He was seven years with HEINZ in Australasia and Asia and was with ICI for five years before it was purchased by Henkel. At fresh food retailer Nosh, Gordon is in charge of purchasing, distribution and supply chain activities. “Nosh has grown pretty quickly for a business that’s only four years old. We’ve got five stores now so stocks are up around five times and yet staff numbers have remained pretty static,” Gordon says. “Add to that the fact our focus on quality fresh food and produce at affordable market prices across all stores and you can see there’s a big job to be done. And that’s my role – getting the stock on the shelf and replacing it when it’s sold.” Clinton Beuvink says Gordon’s global experience across a range of industries provides the business with a major skill set. “Gone are the days of stock control on an Excel spreadsheet,” says Beuvink. “With five stores as far afield as Matakana and Glen Innes we cannot afford to have any glitches in the supply chain. “Simon brings those skills to the business. His mandate is to set us up with a supply back-end that can serve 10 or 20 stores, continue to improve the product range and to develop relationships with suppliers.”

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New Zealand food prices fell by 1.3 per cent in FebruaryFood prices fall in February, steaks down 17pc (11 Mar 10)
New Zealand food prices fell by 1.3 per cent in February on the back of falls in fruit and vegetable costs, as well as lowered meat, poultry and fish prices. Additionally, Statistics New Zealand's food price index measured a February year on year increase of 0.7 per cent, the lowest annual increase since a 0.4 per cent gain for the year to April 2005. However, over a two-year timeframe, food prices are 9.6 per cent higher. Four out of five subgroups recorded by Statistics NZ recorded lower prices. Fruit and vegetables dropped 3.5 per cent, meat, poultry and fish fell 2.4 per cent, grocery food was down 0.8 per cent and non-alcoholic beverages declined 1.9 per cent. Restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices were unchanged. Individual items displaying the most significant falls in February were porterhouse/sirloin steak with a 17.6 per cent decline as extensive discounting saw its price drop to a level last seen in August 2007. Apples' 26.6 per cent price drop reflects a typical fall as the new season's crop becomes widely available. Minced beef on the other hand rose 5.2 per cent as many special prices were removed. Across the February year, lamb chops have increased 20.7 per cent and sausages have risen 13.7 per cent. More at NZ Herald.

FGCBanning cough lozenges & Lemsip in supermarkets "absurd": FGC (9 Mar 10)
Medsafe’s "Nanny state power play" to ban cough remedies in supermarkets is absurd and does not draw on international evidence or common sense, says Katherine Rich, Chief Executive of the Food & Grocery Council. The current consultation is fundamentally flawed she says, because the document being used to base these discussions is so full of factual errors and misrepresentations. The impact of the proposal is extreme. Banning the sale of 70 cough/cold remedies from supermarkets and dairies will mean that New Zealanders pay up to 30-45% more for the same products in pharmacies. New Zealanders’ access to these products when they suffer coughs and colds will be dramatically reduced. Rich says the Medsafe submission to the Medicines Classifications Committee (MCC) has two main arguments: that the United Kingdom has made all these products “pharmacy only” (so New Zealand must automatically follow) and that this recommendation is supported by the Medsafe’s Cough and Cold Review Group. Both statements, which are used to add weight to the proposal, she says are factually wrong and misleading. The United Kingdom has not banned the sale of adult formulations and products such as cough lozenges. Lemsip hot drinks and other cough/cold remedies for those over the age of twelve years remain freely available in supermarkets on general sale. The Cough and Cold Review Group did not recommend a change; rather it referred the classification of certain actives to the MCC for consideration for children up to 12 years of age. The FGC also points out that if the MCC supports this sales ban, it will reclassify a series of products which Medsafe only approved for general sale less than a year ago, a "regulatory flip-flop" that makes New Zealand look disorganised in terms of its regulatory processes.

Kiwi wines appeal to young Australian palates (3 Mar 10)
Young Australians with higher incomes are fuelling a growing interest in New Zealand wines across the Tasman, with volume sales up by 42.3%. The oversupply issue created by two bumper harvests has seen kiwi winemakers stretch into new markets in search of new customers. But there is also growing demand from one of the oldest and closest international markets for local wines, according to a new Nielsen report. The report found that volume sales were up 42.3% over the financial year to 2009, while sales value has doubled over the last three years. Kiwi wines now represent 8% of the total wine sold through the off-premise liquor market in Australia. The Nielsen report found that a core group of Aussie consumers aged in their 30s who are relatively new to the wine category were driving the increase. According to the report, the regular buyers of New Zealand wines were now more likely to be in their 30s and less likely to be aged over 65; likely to live in metro regions and Sydney in particular; and have a household income over $100,000. These buyers are also more prone to experiment and taste new and alternate varities, but this means they are not necessarily loyal to any particular brand, according to Nielsen Liquor Group pacific executive director Michael Walton. More at National Business Review.

Dow Design creates a new look for Alison’s Pantry (3 Mar 10)
Shoppers from Kaitaia to Invercargill will experience a new look Alison’s Pantry this month as Dow Design's makeover of the self selection area of New World and Pak ‘n Save stores is unveiled. As a brand, Alison’s Pantry needed to convey the progressive modern business it has become; with expertise and integrity in sourcing top quality foods and sound relationships with retailers. It also needed to appeal to the 2010 shopper who is ingredient and health conscious and has a respect for authenticity. Dow created a fresh clean look for the popular scoop bins through a stylish logo and navigational signage that brings the brand right up to date.

“Our vision was to better capture the direct, fresh experience of Alison's Pantry and create an exciting market-like feel for the space that stimulates the shopper with its choice and quality products,” says Dow Design Creative Director, Donna McCort. She says Dow was assigned the task of encouraging more frequent use of what is a specialised area of a supermarket. “To make the produce look more appetising, we opted for a clean, minimal look that allows the shopper to easily see foods that get their taste buds going amongst the vast selection.” Dow Design’s Strategic Development Director, Andy Jaquet says the navigation system was an exciting challenge for the Dow team. "Alison's Pantry provided us with a great opportunity to not only demonstrate our design skills but also our talents in retail navigation. Choice in supermarkets is now so varied that it can become confusing for the consumer unless you create systems that lead them to their purchase.” The Alison’s Pantry section of larger supermarkets can have over 220 scoop bins, but in smaller supermarkets, the area may only be a quarter of this size. One of the clever elements of Dow’s design is that it can easily be scaled to suit the space a store has available. Alison’s Pantry Product Manager, Lyn O’ Sullivan says the brand refresh was the next step in the evolution of Alison’s Pantry. “It was during the 1980s that our rapport started with the ‘Mother of New Zealand cooking’, Alison Holst,” she explains. “Known for her delicious recipes and as a pioneer for balanced eating, her advice helped shape the brand. Over the years, our knowledge in procuring top grade foods has developed and we needed to truly reflect what Alison’s Pantry stands for today. Dow Design took our brief fully on board, modernising the brand and also designing web graphics that mirror the consumers’ in-store experience.” The re-branded Alison’s Pantry will be revealed in Foodstuffs supermarkets during March. The new design will also feature on the aprons and caps of in-store staff and taste testers, as well as in all Alison’s Pantry marketing and advertising in the coming months.

Katherine RichFGC applauds govt's move to slash red tape for grocery sector (26 Feb 10)
The Government’s release today of a Medsafe discussion document recommending that fluoride toothpastes and anti-dandruff shampoos be removed from Medicines Act regulations, will save millions in pointless compliance costs for the grocery sector, and increase choice for New Zealanders, says Katherine Rich, Chief Executive of the Food and Grocery Council (FGC). “It’s a common sense step. Regulating anti-dandruff shampoos and toothpastes with the same force as medicines is bureaucratic overkill for low risk cosmetic products, which are clearly not pharmaceuticals. “FGC members trade in over 150 countries and New Zealand is the only one with such a complicated mire of regulation, requiring each new product to be registered with Medsafe - a process that can take up to two years and cost firms between $50,000 - $100,000 per registration. ‘It’s a tedious process that has to be completed for each and every variant. Even if a company wants to change something insignificant like a shampoo fragrance or a toothpaste flavour, the process starts all over again. Same costs, same delays. “Lengthy registration delays have often meant New Zealand consumers have been the absolute last in the world to get access to new product innovations, years after they are introduced worldwide. In the past such barriers have meant it didn’t make economic sense to introduce some new variants to New Zealand at all. “Our industry has regularly raised this issue with successive Health Ministers since 1984, and Tony Ryall is the first to listen and take action. We thank him for cutting a swath through nearly 30 years of inertia, and putting this issue out for public consultation. “While this is a discussion document and it’s up to our sector to work hard and put the detailed case for change, we are confident that the Government will finally cut this wasteful red tape. “Moving ahead with common sense reform will save the grocery sector many millions of dollars, encourage more investment, ensure better choice in supermarkets, and finally align our business rules with Australia.

Food prices prices have now returned to levels last seen in September 2009Food prices up after five months of falls (11 Feb 10)
Food prices increased 2.1 percent in the January 2010 month, Statistics New Zealand said today. This follows five consecutive monthly falls in the food price index (FPI) and prices have now returned to levels last seen in September 2009. Significant contributions to the increase in January came from higher prices for grocery food, fruit and vegetables, and meat, poultry, and fish. Grocery food prices rose 1.8 percent in January, ending a run of five consecutive monthly falls. Dairy prices rose in January, with higher prices for milk, yoghurt, butter, and cheese. "Milk prices rose 5.1 percent in January to levels last seen in September 2008," prices manager Chris Pike said. Fruit and vegetable prices rose 4.8 percent, with higher prices for tomatoes and seasonal price rises for kiwifruit, broccoli, and apples. Meat, poultry, and fish prices rose 3.3 percent, with higher prices for chicken. For the year to January 2010, food prices rose 2.2 percent. Four subgroups recorded annual increases: grocery food (up 1.7 percent), non-alcoholic beverages (up 6.2 percent), restaurant meals and ready-toeat food (up 2.8 percent), and meat, poultry, and fish (up 3.0 percent). The fruit and vegetable subgroup fell 1.0 percent in the year to January 2010. "Although food prices are now 2.2 percent higher than a year ago, they are 12.0 percent higher than two years ago," Mr Pike said.

Montana Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - the new lookDow Design goes global with Montana Wines brand packaging (8 Feb 10)
Wine lovers worldwide will get a taste of Dow Design's brand design expertise this month with Montana Wines' global unveiling of their new look Classics and Reserve ranges of wine packaging. While respecting the new world origins of this iconic New Zealand brand, Dow has acknowledged the demands of the global market by ensuring the packaging designs align with the more traditional nature of some international wine markets. Featuring a graphic depiction of the mountains that connect Montana’s brand heritage to the unique location that gives New Zealand’s leading wine its distinct character, the new packaging is a key component of Montana’s global campaign. “The complexity of a global brand is to satisfy different markets while at the same remaining true to the core design concept” said Annie Dow, Director of Dow Design. “The simplicity and strength of the label will ensure Montana stands out in the competitive world of wine.” Montana’s fresh new look reinforces the premium position of the Montana brand worldwide and is the result of a collaborative relationship with Dow Design who also created Montana’s commemorative monument for their flagship Brancott vineyard to celebrate 30 years of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Starting with the award-winning Montana Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the new packaging is rolling out across the entire Montana Classics range; with the Montana Reserve Range completing the fresh new look on shelves worldwide this month. Montana is a true Kiwi success story. Named by Croatian immigrant Ivan Yukich after the vineyard’s first mountainous location in the Waitakere Ranges, the Montana brand is now owned by Pernod Ricard and sold in New Zealand, Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and through selected distributors in Europe. It was Ivan's son Frank who led Montana's pioneering venture into Marlborough in 1973, a region then considered too cold to grow grapes. By 1990, Montana's Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc was named best Sauvignon Blanc in the world - introducing a new region and wine style to wine lovers everywhere.
Dow DesignEstablished in 1993 by Annie Dow, Dow Design creates brands that people love and connect with. They are known for bridging the gap between cutting edge design and commercial sense, working on iconic New Zealand brands such as Fresh’n Fruity, Robert Harris, Kapiti cheese, Arano, and Vogel’s bread.

Cuvée RemyRemy joins the prestigious line up at No. 1 Family Estate (21 Jan 10)
After twelve years of producing some of New Zealand’s leading Methode Traditionnelle wines, No 1 Family Estate winemaker and proprietor Daniel Le Brun has created the ultimate cuvée in honour of his son, Remy Le Brun, and it was officially released on January 16, his 21st birthday, at a party held at the Marlborough Vintners Hotel. Remy Le Brun performed a sabrage, a technique for opening sparkling-wine bottles with a sabre, used during celebrations. The sword he used was a family heirloom made in 1872. The tradition dates back to the Napoleon era when, after a battle one day, there was no corkscrew to open bottles so swords were used. Mr Le Brun said although he had opened a few bottles of sparkling wine with a sword, he was nervous he would not open it with the first swipe on Saturday. He said it was a lovely gesture from his dad to name a vintage after him. The wine, ‘Cuvée Remy’ is a blend of 80% Pinot Noir, giving structure and power and 20% Chardonnay which contributes richness and finesse. The making of just 200 cases of this wine honours the same process as used in Daniel’s homeland - Champagne - with the hand-picking of grapes and pressing them in whole bunches using a special Vaselin press (imported from Champagne) followed by fermentation in bottle to create the all-important bubbles. The wine spent two years on yeast lees prior to disgorgement in December 2009 The Le Brun family arrived in Marlborough 30 years ago and specialise purely in the production of methode traditionnelle. The range includes Cuvée N° 1, a non-vintage blanc de blancs (100% chardonnay), Cuvée Number 8, a non-vintage blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Reserve Cuvée 10, a limited edition wine and a vintage blend created in only the finest years called Cuvée Virginie after their daughter. With the addition of Cuvée Remy, the family is now complete and if history is anything to go by, this special wine will soon start winning accolades to match or even exceed its siblings. www.no1familyestate.co.nz



The Darling Sauvignon BlancThe Darling Wines – part Kiwi, part Aussie – 100% quality (21 Jan 10)
There has always been a friendly rivalry between Australia and New Zealand, and when it comes to the wine industry things are no different. With many New Zealand wines selling well in Australia and vice versa this rivalry has been heating up in recent times. The Darling Wines has the best of both worlds. The wines are made in Marlborough New Zealand with its owners and winemakers Chris Darling and Bart Arnst being from Australia and New Zealand respectively. The Darling is a small wine company focused on producing quality wines. Chris says, “Keeping the production limited and having control over the entire process is a key factor in maintaining the quality of our wines”. Bart also mentions that, “by growing the grapes organically we are looking to improve the quality of the wines”. Chris and Bart with over 30 years wine industry experience between them, teamed up in 2008. After making wines and growing grapes for other people for many years they thought it was time to put their creative energy into a project they could both enjoy together. They mention that the friendly rivalry occurs between them, especially while watching the All Blacks play the Wallabies at rugby as they both think they know the outcome of the game before it starts. The new release wines are now available, both in Australia and New Zealand and Chris and Bart are hoping that the friendly rivalry continues and that there are no more underarm incidents. New Release wines: 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, 2009 Pinot Gris, 2009 Gewurztraminer, 2009 Pinot Noir (Release in Feb) The Darling Wines are available in New Zealand through Restaurants and Fine Wine stores or contact chris@savvywines.co.nz. In Australia the wines are distributed through JHL/Sante in Victoria. www.jhl.com.au
Check out www.thedarlingwines.com for more information.

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc was the best-selling wine at Britain's Majestic Wine chain over the Christmas seasonNZ wine the tipple of choice in Britain (8 Jan 10)
New Zealand's Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc was the best-selling wine at Britain's Majestic Wine chain over the Christmas season, the warehouse retailer says. Majestic Wine uncorked its best festive sales for a decade yesterday, toasting sparkling sales of champagne and upmarket fine wine, as customers shrugged off the economic downturn. Chief executive of Majestic, Steve Lewis, said he had been encouraged by the response to the change in its minimum purchase policy from 12 bottles of wine to six. He said existing customers were shopping more frequently. For the nine weeks to January 4, the 153-store chain's underlying sales were up by 11.7 per cent. This was its best sales for more than two years. Lewis said: "Christmas got off to a good start and it just kept going." Majestic said sales of champagne were up by 11 per cent, sales of fine wine were higher by 30 per cent and online grew by 17 per cent. Across the business, the retailer's most popular champagne was Veuve Clicquot and its best-selling wine was the Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc. Lewis said its busiest day was the Saturday before Christmas, and that it had received a boost from the snow and icy conditions before December 25, as many people stopped working and went into "Christmas mode". More at NZ Herald.

Woolies may buy liquor group (7 Jan 10)
Retailing giant Woolworths is rumoured to be looking at trans-Tasman alcopops giant Independent Liquor Group in a plan to secure a supplier for its fast-growing private label beer business and cut its reliance on Fosters Group and Lion Nathan. Independent Liquor is the biggest supplier of alcopops in Australia and New Zealand, but also produces and distributes spirits, beer and wine, including Tuborg, NZ Lager, Haagen and Carlsberg, Mystic Ridge and Grove Hill wines. Independent, which was started in New Zealand by Michael Erceg, was sold for $1.25 billion to private equity firms Pacific Equity Partners, of Australia, and Hong Kong's CCMP Asia (now Unitas Capital) in 2006, after the death of Mr Erceg in a helicopter crash. Speculation in the alcohol industry is that Woolworths has been doing a cost/benefit analysis of Independent Liquor. The business is believed to be worth about $700 million. A source close to Independent Liquor said a tie-up with Woolworths made strategic sense. Not only would it give it access to capacity to increase its home brands, but it also would give it access to costings, which would be used as a threat over the bigger suppliers. Independent Liquor has production facilities in Victoria and New Zealand. Independent Liquor already contract-packages Woolworths home brand beer Platinum Blonde on the eastern seaboard. If a deal goes ahead, it would be the next step in Woolworths' plans to increase its private label brands across groceries and liquor. More at www.stuff.co.nz.

Regal Salmon Fresh Cuts Cut to the chase at mealtimes (18 Dec 09)
When it comes to food, convenience and nutrition are rare recipe mates. But now a quick, nutritious meal is at your fingertips with the launch of Regal Salmon’s new speciality range of fresh salmon cuts. Regal Salmon Fresh Cuts come in convenience packs in escalope, loin and stir fry formats. The new atmospheric packaging provides a longer fridge life for your salmon; perfect for those of us who shop once a week. Regal Salmon says the pre-packed cuts are ideal for preparing quick, simple nutritious meals and snacks. “Consumers tell us convenience, health and indulgence are the three key elements to a satisfying meal,” says Regal Salmon marketing manager Stephen Gibson. “With a high level of omega-3s and antioxidants, versatility and a great taste, Regal Salmon meets those needs impeccably. “The Fresh Cuts are designed to save time in the kitchen – for example, the pin bones have already been removed – and they’re perfect for a range of occasions – from a main meal to snacks around the barbie. You simply sear and get on with entertaining.” Available in supermarkets, Regal Salmon Fresh Cuts Escalopes and Regal Salmon Fresh Cut Loins (pictured) come in 250g packs while the Regal Salmon Fresh Cuts Stir Fry pack contains 275g. The Best By date is clearly stamped on the pack. Free recipe booklet on the Regal Salmon website: www.regalsalmon.co.nz/regal-salmon-fresh-cuts/

Christmas dinner costing less (15 Dec 09)
The cost of Christmas dinner will be slightly less than last year but a few dollars more than two years ago, according to Statistics New Zealand. And if you can't decide whether to go traditional or barbecue then don't worry because the cost is about the same. The estimated cost of both options for a family of two adults and two children has come out exactly the same, at $48.80, says government statistician Geoff Bascand. This makes the traditional dinner $1.80 cheaper than last year, and the barbecue 90 cents cheaper. The cost of each meal has been estimated using prices collected for the November 2009 food price index, and costs have been compared with prices for November 2008, 2007, and 1999. The traditional Christmas dinner has increased by $13.50 (38.3 percent) since 1999 and the barbecue by $11.10. The biggest savings this year for the traditional Christmas dinner come from whole chicken prices, which have fallen by about 50 cents, and kumara, which has fallen by about 40 cents. Savings for the barbecue dinner come from cheaper potatoes, which have fallen by about 30 cents since last year, and cheaper steak, which has dropped by nearly 40 cents. More at www.stuff.co.nz.

Fourth consecutive monthly fall in food prices (11 Dec 09)
Food prices decreased 0.3 percent in the November 2009 month, Statistics New Zealand said today. This is the fourth consecutive monthly fall in food prices, which has not occurred since July 2004. November’s fall in the food price index (FPI) was largely driven by lower prices for fruit and vegetables, as occurred in October and September 2009. In November 2009, the fruit and vegetables subgroup decreased 2.0 percent. A fall in vegetable prices (down 6.3 percent) more than offset a rise in fruit prices (up 4.5 percent). "Fruit and vegetable prices usually fall in spring and are now down 17.2 percent from their winter peak in July," said Prices Manager Chris Pike. For the year to November 2009, food prices rose 0.9 percent. This is the smallest annual increase since a rise of 0.9 percent in the year to September 2005. In the year to November 2009, four subgroups recorded increases: non-alcoholic beverages (up 6.9 percent), restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food (up 3.0 percent), grocery food (up 1.5 percent), and meat, poultry, and fish (up 1.0 percent). The fruit and vegetables subgroup fell 7.6 percent in the year to November 2009. Although food prices are now 0.9 percent higher than a year ago, they are 11.4 percent higher than two years ago.

Nosh Food MarketTwo new Nosh's (8 Dec 09)
Fresh food retailer Nosh Food Market is expanding its operations with two new stores – Mt Eden and Matakana - as Kiwis flock to purchase quality local produce. Today the company opens a new store in Mt Eden, and next week (Dec. 14) it opens a Nosh Foodmarket in Matakana, the company’s third new outlet this year. Nosh co-founder Clinton Beuvink says Kiwis are catching on to the affordable prices of market-style shopping. “At Nosh Food Market we bring together the authenticity and expertise of the traditional butcher, the baker, deli, greengrocer and more and all at real market prices. “As in a genuine market we have focused on employing qualified, passionate and food-loving people whose knowledge of fresh produce enhance the Nosh shopping experience,” Mr Beuvink says. Nosh’s focus on quality food and produce at affordable prices appeals to modern household shoppers who are becoming more creative in the kitchen. “Eating in is the new dining out. Buying fresh produce and transforming it at home is how more New Zealanders are enjoying great food. “We have tapped in to this kitchen creativity by providing an inspirational shopping environment, offering fresh ideas for menus and education on how to prepare them. “We’ve brought on board a top chef for each Nosh Food Market, moving them from the back of the kitchen and putting them into direct contact with customers on the shop floor. “With Mt Eden open, Nosh now has eight qualified chefs working on the team and accessible to shoppers across all stores.”
Nosh Food MarketThe company’s latest store is on a 800 sq m site in the bustling Dominion Road precinct and targets an area covering Mt Eden, Kingsland, Balmoral, Sandringham and Mt Albert that is under-serviced in terms of local fresh food shopping. Nosh Food Market presents a new market-style concept in food shopping bringing together the authenticity and expertise of butchery, bakery, delicatessen, the greengrocer and more under one roof. Nosh focuses on quality fresh food and produce at affordable market prices appealing to modern household shoppers. It employs qualified, food-loving people, all experts in fresh produce who enhance the Nosh shopping experience. Nosh Auckland stores are located in Glen Innes, Greenlane, Mt Eden and Ponsonby and a Matakana store opens in Mid-December. The Nosh Food Market concept was created by Clinton Beuvink and Chris Moore in 2006. Both Beuvink and Moore have extensive and wide ranging grocery and retail marketing and management experience. www.noshfoodmarket.com

Tip Top downsizes ice cream containers (26 Nov 09)
Iconic Kiwi brand Tip Top has slashed the size of some of its ice cream containers by 20 percent. Tip Top says the decision was made following market research carried out last year. Tip Top marketing manager Trish Whitwell said the research showed different flavours were used on different occasions, with classics such as Vanilla and Chocolate seen as every-day flavours while others such as Goody Goody Gum Drops and Gone Fishin' were seen as "treats". "When consumers buy our Family Rewards range as a treat, they've told us that while they want more of the great-tasting extra bits, eg more jelly in Jelly Tip and more choc fish in Gone Fishing and that the total amount in the tub, ie: two litres, is less important," Tip Top said on its website. "So we have improved the inclusions and reduced the size slightly to allow us to hold prices flat." So far, Goody Goody Gum Drops, Jelly Tip, Monkey Business and Gone Fishin' now come in the 1.6 litre containers while the everyday flavours remain in 2 litre containers. They cost around $5.88 at supermarkets. Tip Top said no other changes had been made to its recipe. More at www.stuff.co.nz.

Cheap liquor promotions are hurting the on-licence industry and contributing to New Zealand's drinking problemWatchdogs slam cheap liquor promotions (12 Nov 09)
Cheap liquor promotions are hurting the on-licence industry and contributing to New Zealand's drinking problem, alcohol watchdog services say. In May this year, the two big supermarket chains - Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises - said they had stopped selling liquor below cost as a "loss leader". The move followed comments by the Liquor Licensing Authority that low prices led to higher consumption and abuse of alcohol. Between them, Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises own the New World, Pack 'n Save, Woolworths, Countdown and Foodtown supermarkets. When asked this month if they had practised loss-leading since May, Progressive Enterprises spokesman Bill Moore said "absolutely not. It is our policy not to sell alcohol below cost price". Foodstuffs NZ Ltd said it would not promote the sale of alcohol below cost and requested retail franchisees to follow the same policy. Progressive's Bill Moore said prices are set by liquor wholesalers. "Suppliers are responsible for setting their prices. Supermarkets and other retailers add what they consider a reasonable mark-up." However, chief executive of the Hospitality Association of New Zealand Bruce Robertson said the buying power of the big chains meant they could get a much better price from wholesalers than small retailers. In some cases, he said, supermarkets offer liquor prices so low they rival wholesalers. "A lot of smaller chains now buy from supermarkets rather than wholesalers because it is cheaper." He blamed cheaper prices at supermarkets for a fall in on-licence alcohol consumption. Robertson said 10 years ago, about 40 per cent of alcohol was purchased in bars and restaurants. Supermarkets selling liquor have shifted that level to 30 per cent, he said. More at NZ Herald.

Silver Fern FarmsMeat processor takes over value chain (11 Nov 09)
In what will be a litmus test for international meat exports, South Island-based processor Silver Fern Farms is hitting New Zealand supermarkets with branded and portion-controlled packs of lamb. The move is a bold attempt to control more of the value chain from pasture to plate, essentially cutting out the middleman with a product directed at the higher end of the market. Most red meat sold in New Zealand contains no brand or origin labelling making Silver Fern Farms’ strategy revolutionary in the marketplace. The company recently launched the concept in France through the Intermache chain of supermarkets. The market-led, rather than production-led, approach was ratified by the company’s supplier shareholders earlier this year, although the company has been talking to both New Zealand’s supermarket chains, Progressive Enterprises and Foodstuffs, for about a year. Essentially, the concept means the meat processor is providing consumers with the finished product rather than just slaughtered animals for in-store butchers to prepare. Silver Fern strategic marketing general manager Duncan McKinnon said the pre-packaged product would be in 160 selected supermarkets from next week. Focusing on the high end meat consumer, Mr McKinnon said the company would launch a similar range of products using venison in February. More at National Business Review.

Consumer New ZealandSupermarkets get price blame (11 Nov 09)
Consumer New Zealand says a supermarket duopoly is behind the surge in New Zealand food prices, and the only thing consumers can do is to shop around for deals. A study by the University of New South Wales has found that grocery prices have risen faster in New Zealand and Australia than most other industrialised countries. Using OECD figures, the study says South Korea had the highest food price hikes in the period, of 48.2 percent followed by New Zealand (42.5 percent) and Australia (41.3 percent). Consumer New Zealand chief executive Sue Chetwin said there was little doubt a supermarket duopoly was behind the prices rises, but all consumers could do was to shop around. She said it would be difficult to add competition to the supermarket industry. Chetwin said New Zealand has a "double whammy" in that much of the food produced here is exported, so New Zealanders end up paying export prices. The Australian government has stressed it is moving to open food retailing to extra competition. (Xinhua)

Cookie Time wins top supplier award (11 Nov 09)
Cookie Time has won the Overall Grand Prize at the Grocery Retailers' Association national supplier awards. The Grocery Retailers' Association (NARGON) has over 500 retail members, all of whom are owner-operators of New Zealand grocery stores, from the largest supermarkets to the smallest dairies. Members vote to find the best grocery supplier in the country. "Considering we're measured against multinationals with resources far greater than ours, it's particularly pleasing to come out on top," said Cookie Time General manager, Lincoln Booth. In addition to collecting the overall Grand Prize, Cookie Time also took away a Gold in the Best Small Supplier category. Judging criteria includes new product development, paper trail, in-store support, distribution efficiency, orders delivered on time & in full, and head office relationship.
Christchurch-based Cookie Time started in 1983 and quickly grew to become New Zealand's leading cookie brand. The company's multi award-winning One Square Meal brand launched into USA earlier this year. The Grand Prize win at NARGON tops off of what Mr Booth describes as a "phenomenal year" for Cookie Time. Second place in the Overall Grand Prize category went to Coca Cola Amatil, and in third place was Cadbury's.




World's first all-natural low glycemic index (GI) cane sugar arrives in NZ (10 Nov 09)
Chelsea Sugar has brought LoGiCane, the world's first all-natural low glycemic index (GI) cane sugar to New Zealand. Low GI foods are slower to digest, metabolise and absorb, providing longer lasting energy and increasing satiety. With diabetes and obesity on the rise in New Zealand, the advent of a low GI sugar will provide consumers with a healthier choice without compromising on taste or texture. LoGiCane can be used in exactly the same way as regular sugar for baking, cooking and for sprinkling on cereal but with a significantly lower GI , making it easier for New Zealanders to achieve a low GI diet. Dr Alan Barclay of the Glycemic Index Foundation believes that replacing white refined sugar with a healthier low GI sugar alternative could have significant benefits for public health. "There is increasing evidence that a low GI diet helps to reduce hunger, prolong physical endurance and aid weight loss," says Dr Barclay. "A low GI diet can also improve diabetes management and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes." LoGiCane was developed by Horizon Science, an Australian Research and Development company and has been independently tested and certified by the Glycemic Index Foundation. LoGiCane is made from 100% sugar cane grown in Mossman, Queensland and retains more of the natural antioxidants, found in sugar cane. It is fully substitutable for traditional white refined sugar and has no chemical additives, artificial colours or preservatives. "Traditional refining of raw sugar removes the majority of bio-active phytochemicals. Retention of these phytochemicals in the sugar reduces the amount of glucose absorption," says Dr Jason Smythe, Senior Vice President and Global Head of R&D, Horizon Science. "We have applied the science to effectively retain the best of what nature intended in the sugar," he says. Funded by the Australian Federal Government and Queensland State Government of Australia, New Zealand-based BioPacific Ventures and Swiss based Inventages LLC, LoGiCane was successfully launched into Australia in March 2009. A partnership between Horizon Science and New Zealand Sugar, under the Chelsea brand, makes New Zealand the first market outside Australia to benefit from the innovation. Discussions are currently underway with international food manufacturers about the potential of using LoGiCane as an ingredient in other foods. LoGiCane is now on supermarket shelves under the Chelsea brand RRP $2.99 for 500 gram pack.

The Great New Zealand Sausage CompetitionBest Sausage won by Best Bacon-maker (4 Nov 09)
A mango and chilli chicken sausage made by Peter Timbs Meats in Christchurch has been judged the Supreme Award Winner in The Great New Zealand Sausage Competition. The winning sausage was described by chief judge Kerry Tyack as a deserved winner in 2009. "This sausage was a superb combination of chicken, mango and chilli resulting in a sweet and spicy sausage with huge palate appeal. This sausage had the X factor," says Tyack. "It was deliciously aromatic and was generously full of authentic meat taste, given a dash of extra character via the addition of chilli and mango. "The judges felt it was an exciting entry with plenty of mealtime applications and a broad appeal." An amazing result for Peter Timbs Meats as the company also won Bacon of The Year in the Lesnies 100% New Zealand Bacon Competition in September this year. Mango and chilli chicken was one of 12 gold medal winning sausages in the competition. Retail Meat New Zealand General Manager Gary Beecroft says he was very pleased with the high standard of entrants in this year's competition, which was judged at the end of October. "It was another fantastic event with quality, professional judging that brought out the best sausages on the day." More at TVNZ and at www.stuff.co.nz.


Tip Top's $1 Scoop DayLapping up the first and best of summer (27 Oct 09)
Tip Top's $1 Scoop Day, an annual event celebrating the start of summer at Labour Weekend, went down a treat in Wellington. Oriental Parade Store shopkeeper Jiten Patel said the day had been a success, but would have been busier without the chilly wind. Despite the new flavours that icecream companies brought out every year, hokey pokey remained the clear favourite. "People try different things but they always come back to hokey pokey – it's a classic." Mr Patel has been serving cones in Oriental Pde for more than 20 years. Kiwis licked 17.1 million scoops of Tip Top icecream in cones from dairies and food stores last year. The Oriental Bay Store is one of 15 "high-roller" outlets nationwide that sell more than a million scoops between them each year.
Tip Top’s 2009 Ice Cream High-Rollers: Farmhouse Café, Whangarei; Whites Dairy, Devonport; Waitomo Orchards, Otorohanga; Verandah Café, Hamilton Lakes; Ollies, Auckland; Bethlehem Four Square, Tauranga; Iona Dairy, New Plymouth; Cool Cat Ice Cream Parlour, Napier; Renall St Dairy, Masterton; BP Blue Moon, Palmerston North; Oriental Bay Store, Wellington; West End Dairy, Kaikoura; Black Cat Super Seven, Nelson; Templeton Convenience Store, Christchurch; Midway Dairy, Milton, South Otago. More at Dominion Post.

CountdownWoolworths NZ first quarter sales up (21 Oct 09)
Woolworths Australia yesterday posted a 4.8% increase for its Woolworths, Countdown and Foodtown New Zealand supermarkets. The ASX-listed company's first quarter results, to October 4, shows sales of $NZ1.3 billion for the company's New Zealand supermarkets and comparable sales of 4.5%, indicating a positive response to its new formats, improved ranging, private label and stock improvements, it said. Overall food inflation, of 4.3%, reflected easing cost price pressure on produce, perishables and bakery items, the company said. Overall, Woolworths reported sales of $A13.4 billion in the first quarter, up 7.4% exclusing petrol sales and 4.2% including petrol sales. More at National Business Review.

Food prices plunge (15 Oct 09)
The biggest monthly drop in vegetable prices for a decade helped push food prices down 0.7 percent in September. Statistics New Zealand said today that in the past 12 months food prices had increased 3.3 percent, which is the smallest annual rate of rise in over two years. The September fall in food prices followed a 0.9 percent drop in August. It is the first time in four years that two consecutive monthly falls in prices have been recorded. Rising food prices have been one of the most stubborn forms of inflation in the past couple of years. Annual food price inflation was running at 8.4 percent as recently as July after fruit and vegetable prices rocketed that month due to the very cold start to winter. However, warm weather in August saw those rises start to reverse. In September fruit and vegetable prices together fell 8.4 percent, mainly due to the massive 12.8 percent fall in the price of vegetables alone. Leading the way down were a 40.7 percent drop in lettuce prices, a 25.5 percent reduction in cucumber costs and a 23.5 percent fall in capsicum prices. More at www.stuff.co.nz.

Vegemite Cheesybite??Cheesybite it is (7 Oct 09)
Kraft has unveiled its new name for the failed iSnack 2.0 - Cheesybite. Kraft dropped the "web-enabled" name for its new cream cheese version of Aussie favourite Vegemite after widespread outcry last week. More than 30,000 people voted in an online and telephone poll to rename the spread. There were seven names to pick from: Cheesybite, Creamymate, Smooth, Snackmate, Vegemate, Vegemild or none of these. Vegemite Cheesybite proved the overall winner, with 36 per cent of the vote, followed by Vegemite Smooth at 23 per cent. The controversy over iSnack 2.0 threatened to damage Kraft's brand after the initial competition was decided upon by marketing staff. Kraft dumped the name just days after unveiling it during the AFL grand final last Saturday. More at www.news.com.au.

The Woolworths logoApple bites over Woolworths logo (5 Oct 09)
Australia's largest retailer Woolworths insists its new logo is a stylised ''W'' or a piece of fresh produce. California-based technology company Apple thinks it is an apple, and wants to stop Woolworths from using it. Apple has mounted a legal challenge to prevent Woolworths from using the logo, arguing it is too close to its own. Apple will have to convince IP Australia, the Federal Government agency that governs trademarks, to knock back Woolworths' application - filed in August last year - to trademark its logo. Apple is spooked by the fact Woolworths has gone for a blanket trademark that would allow it to slap its branding and logo on every imaginable product. Woolworths' application includes a wide class for electrical goods and technology, putting it in direct competition with Apple should the retailer choose to brand computers, music players or other devices. Woolworths has gone into credit cards and mobile phones, so the likelihood of it going into computers is not too remote. A Woolworths spokesman said: ''While we can't rule anything out, we haven't got any plans at the moment.'' The same stylised ''W'' was recently unveiled in New Zealand as part of the logo for the rebranded Countdown supermarket chain. More at The Age.

42 Below vodka42 Below outsourcing its distribution to Lion Nathan (1 Oct 09)
Home-grown vodka company 42 Below is laying off 22 of its 40 local staff and outsourcing the distribution of its products. Lion Nathan will now distribute 42 Below vodka and all of parent Bacardi's brands. The brewer currently does 42 Below's bottling. Previously Hancocks Wine and Spirit Merchants had distributed Bacardi products. Bacardi bought the then publicly-listed 42 Below for $138 million in 2006. Managing director Paul Dibbayawan said 42 Below's current distribution model was unprofitable. "We were in an unsustainable situation, and this really allows us to get the distribution right. "It's really about ensuring we have that solid foundation here in New Zealand which will allow us to take the 42 Below brand global." The company has also stopped making its other spirit products such as Seven Tiki white rum and Tahiti Dark. Dibbayawan said it still held the brands but had decided to focus on 42 Below for the time being. 42 Below has yet to make a profit. In the year to March 2008 it made a $20.2 million net loss, on revenue of $16.7 million. This compared to a loss of $27.2 million on $10.3 million in revenue in 2007. More at NZ Herald.

Vegemite iSnack 2.0Kraft dumps cheesy name (1 Oct 09)
Kraft has bowed to public pressure and ditched the name iSnack2.0 for its new Vegemite-cream cheese blend. “We have been overwhelmed by the passion for Vegemite and the new product. The new name has simply not resonated with Australians. Particularly the modern technical aspects associated with,’’ said Kraft spokesman Simon Talbot. In a statement this afternoon, the company said it would once again throw open the challenge to Australians to come up with a new name. But the company denied it had all been a publicity stunt. "At no point in time has the new Vegemite name been about initiating a media publicity stunt," Mr Talbot, said. Thousands of the jars with the new name will be distributed to supermarkets ready to go on sale, ensuring that the soon to be scrapped name will quickly become a collectors' item. The number of negative comments posted on blogs and on social networking sites is now running into the thousands, prompting Kraft to step back from the new name, which was chosen from 48,000 as part of a competition to get Australians to name the new spread. Almost 3 million of the promotional ‘‘Name Me’’ jars were sold during the naming competition, suggesting it had been popular. But the new name has roused almost universal indignation. More at www.stuff.co.nz.

Little love for Vegemite spread's new name (29 Sep 09)
Vegemite has been an Aussie favourite for almost 90 years, but the name chosen for a new, more spreadable version of the brown paste is being widely condemned. As when the original was launched in 1922, Kraft turned to the Australian public earlier this year to find a name for the new creation. More than 48,000 people submitted potential names - a vast pool from which to select an appropriate label - but the one the judges settled on and announced during the AFL grand final on Saturday has been met with some derision. "It could quite possibly go down in history as one of the dumbest names ever coined," wrote The Daily Telegraph's Kate Sikora. "Worst name for a food condiment I've ever seen," read one of the thousands of comments on the subject left on Twitter. The name which is causing such consternation is iSnack 2.0 - as in: "I said 'Do you speaka my language?' She just smiled and gave me an iSnack 2.0 sandwich." The man who dreamed it up - West Australian web designer Dean Robbins - admitted the name was "a bit tongue-in-cheek". "The 'i' phenomenon and web 2.0 have been recent revolutions and I thought the new Vegemite name could do the same," he told the Sydney Morning Herald. Kraft's head of corporate affairs, Simon Talbot, said the name "Vegemite iSnack2.0 was chosen based on its personal call to action, relevance to snacking and clear identification of a new and different Vegemite to the original". More at NZ Herald.

CountdownFoodtown, Woolworths brands to be phased out in NZ (21 Sep 09)
The Foodtown and Woolworths brands are to be gradually phased out by supermarket operator Progressive Enterprises and replaced by a revitalized, new generation Countdown brand. The rebranding, which will take up to five years, will see the company’s stores receive a new modern identity. It was unveiled today at the Countdown Westgate store, which is nearing completion of a full refurbishment. “The move to one modern brand comes after the success we’ve had with our new generation Countdown stores,” says Progressive Enterprises Managing Director Peter Smith. “Over the past three years, we’ve been making significant improvements to our stores to help our customers shop smarter. Our new stores have a diverse fresh food offer, bigger grocery range, wider aisles and provide a brighter and more pleasant shopping experience. It’s about time the outside of our stores reflected the great changes going on inside,” he said. The new logo – which also replaces the current Countdown identity - symbolises a new beginning for the New Zealand supermarket business. “The new generation Countdown logo represents fresh produce and our absolute commitment to fresh food. It also represents a new beginning and direction of our business,” Mr Smith said. He said the Countdown brand was chosen, rather than Foodtown or Woolworths, due to its popularity with customers and the geographically wide spread across the whole of New Zealand. “We looked very carefully at which of our three brand names to go forward with, and we are absolutely certain that Countdown is what smart shoppers want. The fact is smart shoppers right across New Zealand know Countdown stands for fresh, quality products at a great value price,” Mr Smith added.
CountdownThe new Countdown branding will be applied as stores are refurbished and new stores are built. The new brand also links the company to Australian parent company Woolworths Limited where stores have also been gradually receiving the fresh new symbol. Woolworths Limited, through Progressive Enterprises, plans to invest up to $1 billion in New Zealand over the next five years. “We are incredibly confident in the New Zealand retail market and our Countdown brand. The new brand is perfect for the times, and this is the right time to invest in our business,” Mr Smith said. “We plan to open up to five new generation Countdown supermarkets and transform around 20 Woolworths, Foodtown and older Countdown stores to the new brand and format each year for the next five years. “We also plan to invest in our supply chain across New Zealand to ensure that we can deliver world-class quality and value to our shoppers,” said Mr Smith, Through this investment, Countdown will create 2,000-3,000 permanent new jobs in New Zealand. The company currently employs over 18,000 people. The first store to feature the new Countdown logo is Westgate in West Auckland (previously an older style Countdown store). Immediately to follow are stores in Pukekohe in South Auckland (previously a Foodtown), Milford on Auckland’s North Shore and Northwood in Christchurch (both previously Woolworths), and Ashburton (an old style Countdown). With these changes, Progressive Enterprises will operate 150 supermarkets - 70 branded Countdown, 52 Woolworths and 28 Foodtown.

Barker’s of Geraldine - a new lookBarkers celebrates 40 years in fruit with new image, new name (15 Sep 09)
Much-loved jam maker Barker’s is celebrating its 40th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the family business is updating its name to “Barker’s of Geraldine” to better acknowledge its New Zealand heritage and unique location, nestled at the base of the Southern Alps in Geraldine, South Canterbury. New labels for the Barker’s of Geraldine product range have been crafted, complete with artist-drawn fruit images. Their delicious range of jams are the first to feature the new look. Barker’s extensive selection of 47 products includes Kiwi favourite Strawberry Jam, New Zealand Tamarillo & Plum Chutney and its original Blackcurrant Fruit Syrup, using Canterbury squeezed berries. Michael Barker, Managing Director and son of founder Anthony Barker, is proud to continue the traditions started by his father over 40 years ago: “While we have grown significantly, we have held true to the same values my father held dear – integrity, quality and innovation. Our new look reflects those values and our pride in remaining a family-owned New Zealand company.” Barker’s of Geraldine has long been a champion of the New Zealand grower, using local fruit wherever possible and products that do so now boast a “100% Homegrown New Zealand Fruit” label. “Using only the best quality fruit and vegetables ensures a superior flavour,” says Michael Barker. The company, based on the corner of the old Barker family farm, is the largest employer in Geraldine. A New Zealand pioneer in fruit preserving, Barker’s of Geraldine continues to innovate and create wholesome, delicious products. Jams and chutneys range from RRP $3.99, Syrups from $4.99. For more information and to view the full product range visit www.barkers.co.nz.

Pak’n SaveWhere to find the cheapest groceries (11 Sep 09)
Pak'nSave has topped the list of the country's cheapest supermarkets - for the 10th year running. A Consumer NZ survey in which 26 supermarkets were visited in six cities has once again ranked the chain as running the country's cheapest supermarkets. Supervisor Bev Frederikson said the survey showed that Pak'nSave was "well ahead" of its nearest competitors. "Our surveyors bought from a list of 40 top-selling products including bread, biscuits, milk, fizzy drinks, snacks, cheese, cat food and butter," she said. "Shopping there [Pak'nSave] saved around $20 and sometimes more than shopping in the dearest supermarket in each city." Pak'nSave's Albany store produced the cheapest shopping basket, with a $115 transaction. Foodtown Glenfield was the most expensive, with a $140 total. Woolworths had the highest prices of the nationwide chains, with prices varying from $136 to $145. Woolworths, Countdown and Foodtown stores, owned by Progressive Enterprises, were recognised for having the most consistent prices. The survey noted that Foodstuffs' stores - Four Square, New World and Pak'nSave - have the freedom to offer local specials which meant there was more price variation, particularly between Pak'nSave stores. More at NZ Herald.

Food prices down (11 Sep 09)
Food prices fell by 0.9 percent in August from July, the largest monthly fall in three and a half years. Lower prices for grocery food, and fruit and vegetables accounted for nearly all of the drop in the food price index, Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) said today. In August grocery food prices fell 1.3 percent, with bread down 2.7 percent, chocolate biscuits down 6.3 percent, and cheddar cheese down 6.2 percent. Prices for cheddar cheese, milk, and butter returned to levels last seen in late 2007 or early 2008, SNZ said. Fruit and vegetable prices dropped 3.3 percent, driven by a 10 percent fall in tomato prices, a 21 percent drop for strawberries, broccoli down 21.8 percent, and avocados down 25 percent. For the year to August, food prices rose 4.6 percent, the smallest annual increase since January 2008. Four subgroups recorded increases for the year, with grocery food up 4.4 percent, meat, poultry and fish up 9.2 percent, non-alcoholic beverages up 7.9 percent, and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food up 3.7 percent. The fruit and vegetables subgroup fell 1.1 percent in the year to August 2009, the first annual fall since February 2008, SNZ said. More at www.stuff.co.nz.

Warehouse profits slump on exit from fresh food, liquor (11 Sep 09)
Retailer The Warehouse Group reported a 15.4 per cent fall in full year net profit to $76.8 million, affected by a $7.4m post tax charge relating to the company's exit from fresh food and liquor. For the 53 weeks to August 2, net profit excluding unusual items was up 5.3 per cent from the previous year to $85.2m, the company said today. For the second half, net profit excluding unusual items rose 17.8 per cent to $28.4m. Group sales for the year slipped 0.8 per cent to $1.72 billion. Group chief executive officer Ian Morrice said retail sales demand was expected to gradually improve in the coming year, but uncertainty would continue to be a feature of the economic environment. Whether recent signs of economic improvement would translate into a sustained upturn remained to be seen, he said. The Warehouse red sheds operation reported sales of $1.53b. Adjusting for the 53rd trading week and discontinued fresh food and liquor categories, sales were down 0.8 per cent, while same store sales were down 0.4 per cent. Earnings before interest and tax of $120.2m at The Warehouse were up 6.6 per cent on the previous year, including $5m profit improvement relating to the exit from fresh food and liquor. More at NZ Herald.

The new Fresh ’n Fruity Superfruits™ rangeFresh ‘n Fruity launches Superfruits™ yoghurt range (10 Sep 09)
Expect to see a delicious new Superfruits™ range from Fresh ‘n Fruity hit supermarket shelves this month in fresh stand out packaging, the first change in ten years! New Zealand’s top selling yoghurt, Fresh ‘n Fruity, has changed its look, but still promises the same great taste of juicy, real fruit and delicious creamy yoghurt that has made it a firm Kiwi favourite*. The bright, fresh look is accompanied by a whole new range of mouth-watering flavours combining a variety of superfruits with creamy yoghurt - the first yoghurt in NZ to do so. A superfruit holds exceptional nutrient richness and antioxidant quality with appealing fruitylicious taste. Cranberries, goji berries, acai berries, blueberries and pomegranate are all superfruits found in the new range. Fresh ‘n Fruity Marketing Manager, Caroline Giller says “The new Fresh ’n Fruity Superfruits™ range gives consumers a new way to enjoy variety and stay loyal to the brand, while at the same time attracting new purchasers. “We’ve been the first yoghurt brand in New Zealand to tap into the hot Superfruits™ trend, by using a wide and unique range of fruits known to be high in antioxidants and pack a real punch in flavour and taste.” Fresh ’n Fruity’s new packaging will give the brand a new fresh look, reinforcing its market leader position and providing a stand-out presence on shelf. The new packaging is in store now will be promoted via a new TVC which launches within the month. The new Fresh ‘n Fruity Superfruits™ range is available from 14 September with an RRP of $3.99 in supermarkets nationwide. The new range includes: · Supercharge Strawberry · Powerburst Berry · Mango, Passion & Goji · Strawberry & Acai · Blueberry & Pomegranate · Strawberry & Blackcurrant
www.freshnfruity.co.nz

Recession changes grocery shoppers' habits - survey (7 Sep 09)
A third of New Zealand families have changed their dinner habits as a result of the economic downturn, according to an online survey. Conducted by parenting website www.kidspot.co.nz, the survey of over 500 families suggested the recession had prompted a more frugal approach to grocery shopping and less spending on takeaways. It also suggested a sharp rise in the price of groceries had led to more respondents bulk buying when items were on special, and freezing supplies for future use - particularly meat. In-house brands now had greater acceptance and were being bought more at the expense of name brands, particularly when it came to staple products like tinned tomatoes, flour, rice, butter and bread. Fish and some premium cuts of meat were being overlooked more often, and vegetables were being used more commonly as a substitute for meat, according to the survey's respondents. Families were also planning ahead to avoid impulse buying. "Mothers now leave the house for their weekly (not daily) shop armed with a list in hand, likely gleaned from the catalogue-advertised specials..." the website said. Grocery buyers reported shopping around more than in the past and targeting price-friendly markets and independent butchers, while chasing the specials at different supermarkets. More at NZ Herald.

New World and Four Square stores in Auckland will no longer charge for plastic packing bagsAuckland supermarkets bow to pressure over plastic bags (4 Sep 09)
New World and Four Square stores in Auckland have bowed to public pressure and will no longer charge for plastic packing bags. From today, their parent company Foodstuffs is dropping the five cent charge. It has already scrapped the fee in the lower North Island after customer feedback. Foodstuffs Auckland GM Murray Jordan says the charge saw the usage of plastic bags drop by 12 million over the last month and the company will continue to promote the use of reusable bags. Mr Jordan will not comment about the ratio of people who supported the charge compared with those who complained. However, Green co-leader Metiria Turei is very disappointed by the company's u-turn. She says part of the reason a price is placed on a waste product is to make sure the cost of dealing with it is borne by the user. Foodstuff's main competitor Progressive Enterprises (Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown) has resisted pressure to charge for bags. Figures released earlier this week by the Packaging Council show that efforts by supermarket chains Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises and cut-price retailer The Warehouse have reduced the number of bags they used by 22 per cent in the five years to July. More at NZ Herald.

FoodstuffsNew MD for Foodstuffs Wellington (3 Sep 09)
Foodstuffs Wellington will take on a new managing director from February 2010. The cooperative's chairman Brian Drake yesterday announced the appointment of Craig Wilson, who comes from the country's biggest hardware group, Mitre 10. Mr Wilson worked for Foodstuffs rival Woolworths NZ for 10 years before taking on management roles at Lion Nathan's Liquor King group and the chief executive role at Mitre 10 in 2001. Foodstuffs Wellington's existing managing director Tony McNeil is ending a 12 year run with the company. Mr Drake said Tony had seen the company grow from a $900 million turnover in 1998 to over $2.2 billion in sales this year and an enviable market share position. More at National Business Review.

Fresh ‘n Fruity Eat-a-thon - who can consume the most Fresh ‘n Fruity yoghurt in 20 secondsFresh 'n Fruity eat-a-thon launches new look (1 Sep 09)
Fresh ‘n Fruity, New Zealand’s number one yoghurt* brand is rebranding to a fruity new packaging. To promote this - Fresh ‘n Fruity held a yoghurt eat-a-thon competition, where consumers ate their way through the yoghurt in the old packaging! Shoppers were invited to come along to Sylvia Park, Pak ‘n Save on Thursday 27 August to compete against one another in a controlled environment, to see who could consume the most Fresh ‘n Fruity yoghurt in 20 seconds. Competitors were rewarded with Pak ‘n Save vouchers and Fresh ‘n Fruity spot prizes such as moonhoppers which saw audience members bouncing around during the event.
(*AZTEC report on yoghurt category w/c 10th August MAT)

The new Fresh ‘n Fruity packaging is on shelves now at all supermarket and convenient stores nationwide. Also launching, new Fresh ‘n Fruity Super Fruits yoghurt. No one does fresh and fruity like Fresh ‘n Fruity.
www.freshnfruity.co.nz




Retailers' deal sees bag totals melting (1 Sep 09)
A voluntary agreement by big retailers has cut the number of plastic shopping bags by 157 million over five years - almost a quarter of the original total. Charging for shopping bags, a new strategy by some retailers, had only just begun when the results were counted. Figures released today by the Packaging Council show shoppers at supermarket chains Foodstuffs NZ and Progressive Enterprises NZ and cut-price retailer The Warehouse reduced the number of bags they used by 22 per cent in the five years to July. The agreement has now ended, but Foodstuffs and The Warehouse have stepped up efforts by introducing a charge for plastic bags. Paul Curtis, executive director of the Packaging Council, which represents retailers and manufacturers on packaging issues, said more than half the reduction was achieved in the past two years. "Our message has been very simple; if you don't need a plastic bag, don't take one, and remember to take your reusable bag when you shop," he said. Mr Curtis said giving out fewer bags, combined with moves to make bags more lightweight, had cut the total amount of plastic used in shopping bags by 28 per cent - equivalent to 34 million two-litre plastic drinks containers. Progressive Enterprises (Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown) has resisted pressure from GetReal to charge for bags. More at NZ Herald.

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee WhiskeyJack Daniel’s Single Barrel gets an image update (31 Aug 09)
Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey is undergoing a packaging update. The new refined bottle takes its cues from a classic decanter with a thick glass base and rounded, smooth edges reflecting the smooth charcoal-mellowed character of this full-bodied whiskey. The new Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel bottle will be available throughout New Zealand beginning in September 2009. “The updated package reflects the brand’s ultra premium nature while recognising the authenticity and masculinity of Jack Daniel’s,” said Mark Grindstaff, Jack Daniel’s US Brand Marketing Director. “The bottle design improves visibility, making it easier to see on the shelf and behind the bar, and better communicates the status of the brand. We believe it will attract a sophisticated, discerning consumer.” To mark its distinctive nature, each bottle is hand-labeled with its rick, barrel number and individual bottling date -- signifying the distinct taste profile of the whiskey from a single barrel. The bottle has a thick glass base and wide shoulders giving it a “cut crystal” appearance. The redesigned label has a black background with gold font, and the raised scripted signature of Jack Daniel is blown into the glass across the side of the bottle. The new bottle retains the fluting around the neck which harkens back to the iconic bottle of the parent brand and a wood cork stopper. A coin is encased in the top of each wooden stopper. The packaging update is a highly anticipated move in the Jack Daniel’s Family of Fine Whiskeys distributed by Hancocks in New Zealand. The success of the new packaging for Gentleman Jack in 2007 saw domestic sales grow 44% in the first 12 months following the introduction. “We believe the Jack Daniel’s lover will appreciate the new look of Single Barrel,” says Grindstaff. Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel is also available to purchase by the barrel for those exclusive connoisseurs who would like to enjoy the taste of their very own barrel. Each barrel can be personally selected by the Jack Daniel’s Master Distiller, Jeff Arnett, or there is the opportunity for customers to visit the Lynchburg distillery and hand select their own barrel. Each barrel comes with personalised medallions around the neck of each bottle, the actual barrel from which the whiskey came and a permanent brick at the distillery bearing the customer name. Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey is a 90-proof whiskey and the world’s only charcoal-mellowed single barrel Tennessee whiskey. Each barrel of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel is matured in selected areas of the warehouses where the whiskey’s colour and taste deepen and mature an extra measure during the changing Tennessee seasons. The Master Tasters then sample the whiskey and set aside the barrels with the most intense maturation. The bold, full-bodied taste of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel -- toasted oak flavour and intense vanilla and caramel essences -- is the work of craftsmen with a singular devotion to old-time whiskey- making.

Progressive brands to merge? (28 Aug 09)
Woolworths-owned supermarket retailer Progressive Enterprise is expected to announce the merger of its three supermarket brands into Countdown in the next fortnight. The move would spell the end of the Foodtown and Woolworths brands in New Zealand. A brand merger has been the subject of analysts' speculation in the past few months after talks with the company about the best store concept in New Zealand to compete with rival Foodstuffs, particularly its Pak'n Save stores. To this end Progressive has been rolling out a more customer-friendly Australian store format in its New Zealand supermarkets. Progressive is owned by Australian retailing giant Woolworths. Its chief executive, Michael Luscombe, hinted an announcement of the brand change was imminent when delivering the company annual results in Australia yesterday. The company reported a net profit of A$1.83 billion (NZ$2.26b) on 5.4 per cent higher revenue of A$49.5b. When asked if there was an update on the brands in New Zealand becoming Countdown, Mr Luscombe said Progressive's chief executive, Peter Smith, would be making a major announcement in New Zealand in the next two weeks. Mr Luscombe described the New Zealand supermarket performance as a success story and affirmed Woolworths was in New Zealand for the long term. More at BusinessDay.

WoolworthsWoolworths pleased with NZ supermarkets (27 Aug 09)
Australia's Woolworths Ltd today expressed satisfaction with its New Zealand supermarket business, particularly in the second half of the year. The company's New Zealand Supermarkets, which include Countdown, Foodtown and Woolworths stores, notched up annual earnings before interest and tax (Ebit) of $NZ194.9 million, up 2.8% from last year. The previous year had 53 weeks, so the rise is 4.8% if a 52-week comparison is used. The company competes with Foodstuffs, a co-operative which runs New World, Pak'n'Save and Four Square stores. Foodstuffs and Woolworths together have about 96% of the grocery market. Sales were $NZ4.96 billion, up 3.9% on a 52-week comparison. The gross margin rose three basis points to 21.9% and the company attributed this to improved buying. Woolworths bought Progressive Enterprises in late 2005 and said then it would take three years to put the supermarkets in a competitive position. It said today that the repositioning of the business was on track but "there remains much to do". The company said it had 23 sites in the pipeline in New Zealand with three opening in 2010. Overall Woolworths reported a 12.8% rise in annual profit and forecast earnings growth of up to 11% this year. More at National Business Review.

Fresh’n Fruity yoghurt - new brand  imageDow Design’s groundbreaking new look for Fresh’n Fruity (25 Aug 09)
New Zealand brand design expert, Dow Design, has masterminded the brand platform and new image for Fonterra Brands’ Fresh’n Fruity yoghurt range hitting supermarket chillers next week (in supermarkets nationwide from 31 August 2009). While most packaging has a logo and separate imagery, Dow Design has broken new ground by making the logo the actual pack design, with the evolving vines and fruit communicating the personality of each range. Fonterra’s brief was to create a distinctive and memorable design to differentiate the Fresh’n Fruity brand from competitors. ‘The packaging had to have the personality and attractiveness that is the long established Fresh’n Fruity world,’ says Dow designer Andrew Sparrow. Bursting with fruit imagery encased in fresh white space, Fresh’n Fruity’s logo has been reworked into a leafy device complete with vines that change to suit the product range. ‘This trademarked imagery will keep Fresh’n Fruity ahead of the pack, while making it easy for yoghurt lovers to find their favourite brand in the supermarket chiller,’ says Andrew. ‘Fresh’n Fruity’s image overhaul is another outstanding example of how Dow’s individual design process connects consumers emotionally with brands to consistently deliver improved performance and sales,’ he explains. Dow Design’s Fresh’n Fruity offering follows recent successes in re-branding iconic local brands such as Kapiti cheese, Robert Harris, Living Nature and Arano juice. www.dowdesign.co.nz

Lindauer Sparkling Sauvignon BlancLindauer Sauvignon - the Savvy new way to celebrate (25 Aug 09)
With the launch of Lindauer Sauvignon, New Zealand’s most successful sparkling wine range teams up with New Zealand’s most successful grape variety, offering wine lovers an exciting, fresh way to add sparkle and zest to any occasion. Lindauer Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc is a newcomer to the Lindauer family and is the savvy new way to celebrate. Sauvignon Blanc is now firmly established as New Zealand’s favourite grape variety, while Lindauer has been the country’s sparkling wine of choice since its release back in 1981. Lindauer has continued to set the standard with innovation, delivering world-class sparkling wines that offer outstanding value for money and uncompromised quality. The new and innovative Lindauer Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc is crafted from 85% Sauvignon Blanc, complemented by Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Winemaker Jane de Witt describes Lindauer Sauvignon as light and easy-drinking. “The wine displays vibrant passionfruit aromas topped off with a fresh gooseberry zest and a lively Sauvignon sparkle - the savvy new way to celebrate any occasion.” Over the years, the award-winning range has been extended from the original Lindauer Brut to include Lindauer Rosé, the slightly sweeter Lindauer Sec and the unique, strawberry-infused Lindauer Fraise. The Lindauer Special Reserve range has also grown beyond its original Brut Cuvée to include the richer, slightly sweeter Cuvée Riche, the Chardonnay-dominant Blanc de Blancs and vintage-specific Lindauer Special Reserve Vintage. Lindauer Sauvignon (750ml) goes on sale nationwide from late August (RRP $14.99), look for it in wine shops, grocery stores and restaurants. www.lindauer.co.nz

Monteith’s eyes cider market (14 Aug 09)
Brewer Monteith's is turning its hand from hops to fermented apples as it looks to tap into New Zealand's growing $4.5 million cider market. The DB Breweries-owned West Coast brewery expects to have its 100 per cent pure New Zealand sourced Crushed Apple Cider on tap and in bottles in bars nationwide from September. Monteith's brand manager Russell Browne says cider is becoming increasing popular in New Zealand with annual sales growing at 13 per cent. "Kiwis are keen on natural products that have a great taste - not products made from concentrates. And currently there's a flow of New Zealanders returning from their OEs and bringing with them the tastes they have developed in the old country." In Britain the cider market is worth a massive 1.8 billion a year (NZ$4.42 billion) and is the fastest growing category within the Beers, Wines & Spirits sector (BWS). Even in the on-trade, where the recession has hammered the pub industry, cider is one of only two categories in growth. Cider has continued to grow in popularity over the last few years, which has largely been driven by consumption for over ice brands such as Magners. Monteith's 4.5 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV) offering will also be available from supermarkets and liquor stores with a recommended retail price of $14.99 per four pack. More at www.stuff.co.nz.

Vegemite is getting a makeoverVegemite renaming includes 'Tigermite' (7 Aug 09)
More than 30,000 suggestions from New Zealand and Australia for the name of the new flavoured Vegemite are rolling in to Kraft Foods. The company created the new flavour after a survey of thousands of Vegemite eaters. The result was a Vegemite mixed with cream cheese for a smoother, more spreadable consistency. Just like the original, named in a national poll in 1923, the new version will be named by a public contest. Some of names submitted by New Zealanders for the new flavour include Tigermite, Rockermite, Dynamite, AussieNZjam, and Mitey-licious. Kraft plans to announce the name of the new spread in September, limited numbers of jars will be given for free to the public at two Auckland supermarkets on Tuesday. The Pak 'N Saves at Botany and East Tamaki will receive 45 cartons of stock for distribution to the public on a "first come, first served" basis from 10.30am, Kraft Foods Australia/New Zealand spokesman Simon Talbot said. More at www.stuff.co.nz.

New Zealand Natural ice creamSupermarket move by icecream maker (6 Aug 09)
Emerald Group is considering plans to put its high-end New Zealand Natural ice cream brand into Australian supermarkets after establishing more than 50 parlours in four states. The move comes as American icecream maker Ben & Jerry's prepares to launch its chunk-filled icecream bar franchises in Sydney and Melbourne from September. NZ Natural chief executive Shane Lamont said the move into Australian supermarkets had been under serious consideration as part of the company's Australian expansion plans. It already sells the product in some speciality supermarkets in Western Australia, where it also has parlours. Other parlours are in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. Mr Lamont said Ben & Jerry's is already a competitor in 80 per cent of the 21 countries where New Zealand Natural had 650 outlets, including the US and a concentration of Asian countries. Ben & Jerry's has 417 outlets in the US and 380 globally. Ben & Jerry's Australian brand manager, Caroline Simpson, said New Zealand could be the next launch pad for the icecream once the brand was established in Australia. Australia is the world's third-biggest consumer of icecream, at 18.5 litres per person a year. That compares with the United States' per head consumption of 23 litres a year and New Zealand's of 20 litres. More at BusinessDay.

Foodstuffs shoppers pay for bags (3 Aug 09)
New Zealand shoppers at New World, Four Square and Pak'nSave supermarkets will be charged for plastic bags from today. Foodstuffs, owner of the three supermarket chains, will charge shoppers five cents per plastic bag in a bid to cut down on the use of plastic bags and encourage use of reusable bags. Shoppers at PAK'nSAVE in the North Island have been charged for bags for around 20 years. A portion of the profits made from the sale of plastic bags will be donated to the Keep New Zealand Beautiful charity. Foodstuffs uses around 270 million plastic bags each year, although a the business has cut use by 19 per cent in the past two years. More at FOODWEEK.

Reduced To ClearDiscount food stores worry nutritionists (29 Jul 09)
A new discount store selling junk food will feed our growing obesity epidemic by encouraging bad eating habits, dieticians say. Reduced To Clear has arrived in Wellington, selling products - some past their best-before date - at half the price or less when compared with supermarkets and dairies. Rongotai's store, which opened yesterday, is the second in New Zealand. Directors Sean Hills and Andy Vermeulen say they are helping reduce waste and offer cheap alternatives in a tough economic climate. "We see it as helping the manufacturers as well, because it's stuff they'd dump otherwise," Mr Vermeulen said. Mr Hills said a lot of customers at their South Auckland store were from communities where treats were rarely afforded, and were happy to be able to buy novelties for children's birthday parties. One of their major stockists is Cadbury. Cadbury spokesman Daniel Ellis said the company did not recommend selling products after its best-before date, but had an arrangement with Reduced To Clear its only such deal to sell excess stock. "Generally the supermarkets won't take it because they can't sell it in time." Nutritionists and health activists have criticised the deal and the shop, saying it is irresponsible to offer cut-price junk food to an increasingly overweight nation. More at Dominion Post.

Tony CarterFoodstuffs bosses moving on (24 Jul 09)
Two of New Zealand’s three Foodstuffs co-operatives will have a change of leadership in the near future, with the heads of the Auckland and Wellington operations both moving on from their roles. While Foodstuffs (Wellington) managing director Tony McNeil has already signalled that he will be leaving his position in March next year, Tony Carter announced this week that he would also be stepping down from the roles of managing director at both Foodstuffs Auckland and Foodstuffs (NZ) in two years. Mr Carter has indicated he intends to focus on independent directorship roles in the future, and would not be seeking another full time executive position. While he is not willing to talk about his legacy just yet, Mr Carter said he will have been with Foodstuffs for 17 years by the time he retires from his managing director positions and it was time for the company to look forward to the next phase in its leadership. He added that Foodstuffs had always taken a long-term view to succession planning. “This has ensured that our unique culture and values are maintained and our strategies are kept consistent. So even though my departure will be nearly two years away, this continued approach will enable the board time to find the right person to lead our organisation into the future.” An announcement of a successor is expected early next year, at about the same time that Foodstuffs (Wellington) will have a new managing director after Mr McNeil departs. More at National Business Review.

Supermarket sales up at NZ stores owned by Woolworths (23 Jul 09)
New Zealand supermarkets owned by Australian company Woolworths sold $5 billion worth of goods in the 52 weeks to June 28. Woolworths has the Foodtown, Countdown, Fresh Choice and Woolworths brands in New Zealand and competes with locally owned co-operative Foodstuffs. Woolworth said its annual New Zealand supermarket sales were up 3.6 percent in New Zealand dollar terms and after adjustment. The company's financial year in 2008 had 53 weeks in it and this was adjusted to 52 for comparison. Fourth quarter sales increased by 4.8 percent but were up 5.5 percent when adjusted to make them comparable. "Our significant business improvement in our supply chain, service levels, refurbishment and amenity initiative are gaining traction particularly in the last quarter, despite the difficult conditions in New Zealand," said Peter Smith, managing director of Progressive Enterprises, the New Zealand supermarket unit. The company opened three new supermarkets and refurbished 24 stores in New Zealand in the year.. More at National Business Review.

Cadbury Dairy Milk 200g blockHow to down-size your brand image (15 Jul 09)
What a shocker of a time to be in advertising/marketing/PR for Cadbury. I suppose it seemed like a great idea at the time: downsize the (250g) chocolate block by 50g, save some money, add in some nasties and take out some goodies, and disguise it all as a better experience for the consumer along with “Great New Packaging”. And hey presto! You’ve fought that evil thing we call “recession” (never mind that chocolate is largely considered recession-proof as it’s a “trivial purchase”). Cadbury would’ve likely gotten away with it 10 years ago, but things have changed, friends. It started with a Twitter voice and a website, and then a YouTube “product shrinking” demonstration. It’s culminated in some shocking PR on Campbell Live and an ad by Kiwi chocolate company Whittaker’s, which has proven with an extremely simple presentation that its product is superior. (Worse!) 200g compared to 250g. 21% cocoa compared to 33% cocoa. Added vegetable fat, or pure cocoa butter? Made by dingoes or made by Kiwis? More opinion from Hazel Phillips at National Business Review.

Cadbury to switch to the ethical standard Fairtrade cocoaFood brands among most-trusted (24 Jun 09)
The annual Reader's Digest Trust Survey asked 500 New Zealanders which brands they trust the most, and Cadbury has topped the list for the seventh consecutive year, with ice cream brand Tip Top in second place, the same ranking as last year. Brand strategist Brain Richards says New Zealanders look for certainty in brands and this is particularly true in uncertain times. "The top 15 brands are companies like Sanitarium, Fisher & Paykel, L&P and Watties. These are brands we're familiar with, they're consistent and we know their heritage, and that's what makes us trust them. "In a recession when people are losing their jobs and times are tough, people turn to simple pleasures like chocolate and ice cream. These are emotive products that they trust will make them feel good," Mr Richards says. Countdown supermarkets were up 17 places to number 26 and Australian healthcare company Blackmores leapt up 16 places to 68. Local favourite L&P fared well at number 15. Fast food brands did not fare so well, despite their massive advertising spend - multi-national fast food franchises featured in the bottom 20 places with KFC ranked the lowest of the group at 135. McDonald's fared just better than Telecom at 129, Burger King was at 120 and Pizza Hut at 113.

Lack of loss-leader sales good news for brand conscious wine industry (19 Jun 09)
With two-thirds of all local wine sales going through supermarket check-outs, any changes the grocery giants make to their alcohol strategies can have a huge effect on the entire industry, but it’s still too early to gauge the impact of their voluntarily decision to ban the use of any alcohol product as a loss leader in stores. Last month, both Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises, which own all of the major supermarket chains between them, confirmed a promise not to sell any alcohol product at a loss. New Zealand winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan says the industry is taking a “wait and see” attitude to see if the curtailment of loss leaders has an impact on the local wine scene. “There is widespread concern that flogging wines off as cheaply as possible will devalue the brand and that would certainly be unhealthy in the long term, but it’s just too early to say if the supermarkets’ decisions will have an effect.” Villa Maria founder George Fistonich has no doubts that a refusal to use alcohol as a loss leader will help protect the brand image of New Zealand wine. “Production costs in New Zealand are very high, from the price of transport to importing machinery from overseas. This makes it absolutely vital that we maintain those brands and the price they can sell at to make it economically sustainable.” More at National Business Review.

el Jimador Reposado 100% Agave TequilaMexico’s number one selling tequila just got better (17 Jun 09)
Mexico’s number one selling tequila just got better with the launch of el Jimador 100% Agave Tequila in New Zealand. el Jimador Tequila is making the change over to a 100% Blue Agave Tequila and new premium packaging in June with its Reposado variant, and later this year with the Blanco variant. "Market research indicates a growing demand for 100% Agave Tequila," explains Master Distiller Miguel Cedeño. "This research reinforced our decision to launch el Jimador 100% Agave Tequila, a step we feel will be well-received by tequila aficionados everywhere." Market research shows that a sizeable proportion of consumers in total appear to credit a smoother taste to tequila when it is made with 100% agave and believe that brands made with 100% agave are “much higher” quality than Mixto Tequilas, that are fermented using up to 49% sugars from other sources such as cane and corn. The striking new el Jimador bottle is designed to jump off the shelf and back bar. A longer, slimmer bottle shape offers better handling for quick cocktail preparation and pouring, while the new label showcases the 100% agave quality cue. El Jimador Tequila is produced at the Casa Herradura distillery, established in 1870, using a natural production process. The name el Jimador (pronounced el-heem-a-door) honours the men who harvest the locally grown agave. Since being introduced in 1994, this estate bottled tequila has become Mexico’s number one selling tequila and was recently named in the top 100 spirits brands worldwide by Impact International.* The brand has also seen exceptional growth in New Zealand of over 48%**. El Jimador Tequila is the premium offering within the Hancocks portfolio of tequilas which has recently undergone a price repositioning implemented to grow the New Zealand tequila category and make tequila prices accessible. The Hancocks portfolio also contains Pepe Lopez Tequila, New Zealand’s #2 tequila brand, and the super-premium Herradura Tequila, handcrafted using 100% Blue Agave. El Jimador is widely available in both Blanco and Reposado expressions; the latter aged in wooden barrels for two months creating an incredibly smooth sipping tequila. El Jimador Blanco maintains a clean agave taste, while the aged Reposado expression results in extra smoothness and complexity.

Tandoori Palace Tandoori PasteTandoori Palace launches three new simmer sauces (16 Jun 09)
Authentic Indian cuisine brand Tandoori Palace has introduced three healthy new products, developed by their team of Tandoori Palace restaurant chefs. At the same time, they have given their labels a fresh, new look. The new additions to the range are set to hit supermarket shelves this month: · Rogan Josh Simmer Sauce, Spicy Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce, and Tandoori Paste (pictured). Tandoori Palace simmer sauces are perfect for every home chef who wants to cook tasty, healthy Indian dishes quickly and simply. All seven Tandoori Palace products are: 96% fat free; Made in New Zealand; Gluten free; Preservative Free. “We are very proud to offer truly authentic, quality Indian simmer sauces. Our new label is exciting on shelf and illustrates the authenticity of our recipes. We continue to receive positive feedback about how great all our products taste” says Anup Nathu, the founder of Tandoori Palace. The Tandoori Palace range is the busy cook’s best-kept secret. Try these simple, mouth-watering ideas with the new Tandoori Paste…. Tandoori Potatoes - adding spice to spuds · Marinate chunky potato pieces with Tandoori Paste and yoghurt. Roast until slightly charred and crisp. Also works beautifully with kumara and pumpkin. Tandoori Pumpkin Soup – simple and delicious · Roast pumpkin cubes as above. Puree the pumpkin in a blender, add 1 litre of chicken stock and 1 can of coconut cream for an amazingly delicious pumpkin soup. These great new Tandoori Palace products can be found in supermarkets nationwide at a recommended retail price of $5.39.

New Vegemite goes cheesy (16 Jun 09)
After 85 years as a regular at Kiwi breakfast tables, Vegemite is getting a makeover. The maker of the iconic product is to launch a new version, adding cream cheese to the mix. But fans of the original need not fret there are no plans to change the way it is made. The new product has followed a "Vegemite census" in which people were asked how they liked to eat the spread, which has been a staple of breakfasts since its introduction in 1923. While many said they ate it on toast, with cheese, tomato or even avocado, people were unanimous in wanting a version that was easier to spread and did not require butter. The result is a "smooth, velvety" mixture of Vegemite, a natural cream cheese and a secret ingredient. An unnamed version of the spread, created using feedback from more than 300,000 New Zealanders and Australians, will be launched next month and the public will have a chance to give it a name in an online competition. The spread, available in New Zealand from August, will carry the label "Name Me" when it is distributed to Australian and New Zealand supermarkets. More at www.stuff.co.nz.

Grocery food prices rise (12 Jun 09)
Food prices increased 0.3 percent in the May 2009 month, Statistics New Zealand said today. The most significant increase came from the grocery food subgroup (up 1.0 percent), which was driven by higher prices for bread (up 2.6 percent) and cakes and biscuits (up 2.9 percent). These increases were partly offset by lower prices for yoghurt (down 5.7 percent). Other subgroups making upward contributions were non-alcoholic beverages (up 1.8 percent) and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food (up 0.3 percent). Within these subgroups, the most significant increase came from higher prices for soft drinks (up 2.1 percent). Prices for the meat, poultry and fish subgroup remained unchanged overall. The most significant individual upward contribution for this group came from higher prices for poultry (up 3.1 percent), while the most significant individual downward contribution came from lower prices for beef (down 6.7 percent). The only subgroup to record a downward contribution in the May 2009 month was fruit and vegetables (down 2.6 percent), which was driven by lower prices for mandarins (down 45.3 percent), lettuce (down 18.9 percent), and kiwifruit (down 49.8 percent). For the year to May 2009, food prices rose 6.8 percent with all five subgroups recording increases: grocery food (up 7.2 percent), meat, poultry and fish (up 11.3 percent), restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food (up 4.9 percent), non-alcoholic beverages (up 6.7 percent), and fruit and vegetables (up 3.1 percent). Within these subgroups, the most significant upward contributions came from higher prices for bread (up 16.4 percent) and ready-to-eat food (up 5.2 percent). The most significant downward contributions came from lower prices for tomatoes (down 34.7 percent) and lettuce (down 34.4 percent).

The Steinlager familyLion pins hopes on a mid-strength brew (12 Jun 09)
The Steinlager family just got bigger with the launch of Steinlager Edge, a new offering from brewer Lion Nathan created to conquer New Zealand beer's great unknown - the mid-strength market. Available from Monday, the 3.5 per cent alcohol by volume Edge sits between Steinlager's premium full strength (5 per cent ABV) Classic and lager style light beer Premium Light (2.5 per cent ABV). Lion hopes the launch of Steinlager Edge will open the tap on a lucrative mid-strength beer market here following the success of its XXXX Gold offering in Australia, where it has grabbed a 10 per cent share of the total beer market. Brewed with the three hop varieties used in other Steinlager brews, Lion says its latest product boasts the crispness of Steinlager Classic and the aromatics of Steinlager Pure without packing quite the same punch. New Zealand does not have much of a mid-strength beer market. The only other offering, Rheineck, also brewed by Lion Nathan, has struggled to date to make much of an impact on the drinking scene. Whether Kiwis take to a medium-strength Steinlager remains to be seen, but Lion says the Australian and British public will also get a chance to taste Edge. More at www.stuff.co.nz.

Pak’n Save Te Awamutu Pak'nSave - Progressive's final appeal dismissed (28 May 09)
After three years of legal battles, the Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed an application by General Distributors Ltd (GDL), a subsidiary of Progressive Enterprises, for special leave to appeal the High Court’s decision to the Court of Appeal. This was the last appeal option available to Progressive after the High Court also rejected an application for leave to appeal, and finally opens the way for the planned Pak’nSave supermarket to go ahead on Cambridge Rd in Te Awamutu. The Plan Change for the project was approved by the Waipa District Council in 2006, but the subsequent appeal lodged by Progressive with the Environment Court in 2007 delayed further progress. Progressive appealed the Environment Court’s decision to the High Court, which also dismissed Progressive’s appeal. Progressive then sought leave to appeal the High Court’s decision to the Court of Appeal. That application for leave was dismissed by the High Court in February and the final option to the Court of Appeal has now also been lost. Foodstuffs (Auckland) General Manager – Property Strategy, Angela Bull says the outcome is exciting news for the residents of Te Awamutu, many of whom travel as far afield as Hamilton in search of Pak’nSave prices. The planned PAK’nSAVE supermarket and fuel outlet will be complemented by a range of other retail outlets on site.

INK - Absence of FearFrucor launches energy drink ad campaign - inside videogames (18 May 09)
Drinks-maker Frucor is launching an ad campaign targeting New Zealand videogamers, putting a new drink on billboards into their virtual worlds. The six-week long campaign for an energy drink called INK will feature in Microsoft games on Xbox 360 and PC. The ads, potentially appearing as billboards, posters and sponsored replays, would appear in games "based on the attitude of an `absence of fear'," which expressed a core brand idea, Frucor energy drinks marketing manager Iaan Buchanan said. Titles to run the geographically-specific adverts included Skate 2, Far Cry 2, Saints Row 2, as well as Need For Speed, Tony Hawk and NHL games. "Teaming up ad content with the relevant audience and the right medium is critical. For Frucor and INK, the benefit is in selecting games that are relevant to the brand's target market," he said. Appearing in the games in May to June, the adverts targeted 15-to-24-year-old males, regarded as an elusive marketing demographic. Frucor would accompany their foray into gamespace with adverts in more the conventional media of television, movies and online. XBox New Zealand spokesman Tom Hunt said the adverts would let New Zealand players "feel more at home" while they played video games. "Instead of flashing past an ad for some product that's of no interest, gamers can now feel more at home with a local product such as INK. " More at NZ Herald.

Food prices down 0.6 percent (12 May 09)
Food prices decreased 0.6 percent in the April 2009 month, Statistics New Zealand said today. The fruit and vegetable (down 2.0 percent), grocery food (down 0.4 percent), meat, poultry and fish (down 0.8 percent), and non-alcoholic beverage (down 0.9 percent) subgroups all fell. Restaurant meals and ready-to eat food (up 0.4 percent) was the only subgroup to rise. The most significant decrease came from the fruit and vegetables subgroup (down 2.0 percent), which was driven by lower prices for kiwifruit (down 54.8 percent). Kiwifruit is coming into season and large price falls usually occur in April and May. The most significant individual upward contribution came from tomatoes (up 26.2 percent). Within the other subgroups, the most significant downward contributions came from lower prices for fresh chicken (down 3.4 percent), margarine (down 9.4 percent), and fresh milk (down 1.5 percent). For the year to April 2009, food prices rose 7.6 percent with all five subgroups recording increases: grocery food (up 6.7 percent), meat, poultry and fish (up 11.5 percent), fruit and vegetables (up 9.9 percent), restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food (up 5.2 percent), and non-alcoholic beverages (up 7.5 percent). Within these subgroups, the most significant upward contributions came from higher prices for ready-to-eat food (up 5.3 percent), bread (up 12.8 percent), beef (up 12.5 percent), and soft drinks (up 7.2 percent). The most significant downwards contributions came from lower prices for cheddar cheese (down 15.7 percent), and tomatoes (down 15.8 percent).

Te Waihou Reserve water - StillTe Waihou - 'on premise' water (6 May 09)
A premium New Zealand bottled water is set to make a splash on the multi-million dollar local bottled water industry. Te Waihou Reserve water (pronounced Tea-Why-Ho) or 'The New Water', which launches locally this week, has already secured interest from key export markets including; Australia, Europe, Asia and the USA. Ed Baggaley General Manager of Aquasplash the company behind Te Waihou Reserve says there are a number of opportunities in the bottled water market here and offshore. “We have created a bottled water brand which fits with the fine dining experience in both presentation and taste. Te Waihou Reserve will only be available ‘on premise’ to protect exclusivity and price premium and ensure our trade partners grow with us”. Te Waihou Reserve harks from the Putaruru region, the water is from The Blue Spring one of New Zealand's most revered sources of spring water. Rich in silica Te Waihou Reserve is a relatively low mineral water – offering a balanced, clean taste to even the most discerning palate. Baggaley says the company has invested in a state-of-the art bottling plant, which lies at the source and is certified by the Australasian Bottled Water Institute (ABWI) meeting all of the rigorous standards they set in place. The bottling facility has a capacity of 200,000 litres per day. The significant investment in creating this facility is a reflection of the export potential for this product, he says. Designed with busy restaurant staff in mind Te Waihou is presented in a slim line bottle similar to a premium wine bottle offering easy grip pouring and protecting against spillage. The distinctive branding on still and sparkling bottles means it’s easy to distinguish between the two varieties reducing the number of bottles incorrectly opened and improving bottom line profit. The Wine Style Stelvin Closure completes the alignment with fine wines and positions the brand at the premium end of the market. Te Waihou Reserve comes in 300ml, 500ml, 750ml, and 1 litre glass bottles. It also comes in a 500ml PET to answer the demand of prestige hotels. The 1 litre still or sparkling bottle will retail at $8.00-$12.00 depending on the style of restaurant. Baggaley says fine wine distributor Eurowine will have the exclusive distribution of Te Waihou Reserve locally. For more information visit www.tewaihouwater.co.nz

Big chains abolish below-cost liquor deals (6 May 09)
The two big supermarket chains say they have stopped selling alcohol below cost as a "loss leader", after claims the cheap deals lead to alcohol abuse. Supermarkets have voluntarily given up offering liquor deals to encourage customers into stores where they buy other goods. The decision follows criticism from the Liquor Licensing Authority that loss-leading "promotes the abuse of liquor" and may breach the law aimed at reducing abuse. The two supermarket companies, Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises, have quietly made the decision at the same time. Between them they own New World, Pak 'N Save, Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown as well as the Liquorland chain. Alcohol Healthwatch director Rebecca Williams said she was "grateful but cynical" about the decision to stop below-cost alcohol sales. "It is no secret that New Zealand has significant problems with alcohol consumption ... and price is a major contributor to availability and accessibility," she said. Alcohol Advisory Council chief executive Gerard Vaughan said:"I would only be convinced about their decision when alcohol is no longer cheaper than water in supermarkets." Foodstuffs managing director Tony Carter said it was an "urban myth" that loss-leading led to supermarket specials, and the change would not lead to price rises. There had been no collusion with Progressive over the decision. Loss-leading promotions were done fewer than five times a year. More at NZ Herald.

Pak’n SaveWairau Pak'nSave finally opens (3 May 09)
After 20 years spent mostly in court battles with its major competitor, the Wairau Road PAK'nSave in Auckland's North Shore City will finally open its checkouts today. Foodstuffs bought the site in 1989, started planning in 1992 and applied to build the store in 1997, completing construction in 2005. Since then Progressive has kept it tangled up in the court system through a repetitive and torturous chain of appeals, after various courts declared it illegal because of the way North Shore City Council handled its application and approval. Progressive Enterprises, which owns supermarket chains Foodtown and Woolworths, has been accused of abusing the intent of the Resource Management Act to stifle competition, claiming everything from unfair zoning through to adverse effects on traffic flow in the area. It has maintained the case is more about ensuring councils follow district plans. On February 25 the High Court appeared to have ended the fiasco, backing an Environment Court decision to allow the store to open Foodstuffs' spokeswoman Angela Bull says there has been a lot of customer demand and support for the new store. Construction finished four years ago, but the supermarket has been sitting empty until now. More at Newstalk ZB.

FMCG publisher in liquidation (1 May 09)
Liquidator Gerry Rea Partners has been appointed to magazine publisher 3Media Group. 3Media specialises in the business-to-business market. Its 15 magazine titles include AdMedia, C-Store, Foodservice, In My Kitchen, New Zealand Management, NZ Marketing Magazine and FMCG. 3Media was formed in 2007 through the merger of Review Publishing, Profile Publishing and Marketplace Press. The company's directors are Reg Birchfield, Raymond Little and Peter Mitchell. FMCG magazine is New Zealand's 'leading food and beverage manufacturing and supermarket magazine', which several years ago merged with Grocers’ Review, whose publishing origins go back to 1921.

Iron Maidens, Caroline Evers-Swindell, Sarah Ulmer, Georgina Earl, and BMXer Sarah WalkerNew Beef and Lamb ad set to boogie (23 Apr 09)
“We didn’t get the way we are by doing things half baked. We worked really hard and watched the things we ate. What made us grow like a runaway tram? We got there eating Kiwi Beef and Lamb!”
This is the tune Iron Maidens, Caroline Evers-Swindell, Georgina Earl, Sarah Ulmer and BMXer Sarah Walker, will be boogying to in a new Beef and Lamb New Zealand television advertisement, going to air on Sunday April 26. “In a few weeks time you’ll find yourself at the supermarket chiller humming these words”, says Rod Slater, CEO of Beef and Lamb New Zealand. New Zealanders will glimpse into the girls’ lives, from small babies to the champions they are today. The new commercial captures how a healthy well-balanced diet, which includes lean beef and lamb, plays a vital role in producing winners. “We wanted to do an ad which gives Kiwis a small insight into the girls’ lives growing up,” says Mr. Slater. “In these challenging times, coming home to a sizzling lean steak or the aroma of a roast leg of lamb brings back memories of growing up in New Zealand. It’s time to remind ourselves what an important part beef and lamb played in our formative years, and still does. Just look what it did for the Evers-Swindells and Sarah Ulmer!” The new commercial features Sarah Walker, BMX World Champion, who will make her debut as the fourth Beef and Lamb Iron Maiden.

Burn 'em as fuel - group's plan for plastic bags (21 Apr 09)
New Zealand needs to become "braver" about burning plastic if it wants to stop millions of plastic shopping bags being wasted, says a packaging body. Packaging Council executive director Paul Curtis said there was no reason plastic wrap and shopping bags should not be burned for fuel. His comments come as supermarket chain Foodstuffs and retailer The Warehouse embark on plans to charge shoppers for plastic bags to reduce the number going into rubbish tips. The Packaging Council, which describes itself as "the industry's voice on policies affecting packaging and packaging waste", wants to reduce the environmental effect of packaging by promoting alternatives. The Warehouse, Foodstuffs and the other main supermarket company, Progressive Enterprises, are members. Plastic shopping bags can be turned into products such as road barriers and plastic reels. The Warehouse and some Progressive supermarkets collect bags for recycling, but local body kerbside recycling collections do not accept them, and many end up in rubbish tips. Bruce Gledhill of Recyclers of New Zealand said every home should have a separate kerbside recycling bin for cheese wrappers, meat wrap and other used plastic film that could be taken to coal-burning plants around the country. Burning coal with the right kind of plastic was 30 per cent cleaner and much more efficient than burning coal alone. More at NZ Herald.

Progressive EnterprisesProgressives still deciding on bag issue (20 Apr 09)
Supermarket chain Progressive Enterprises is still deciding whether to charge customers for plastic shopping bags. The company has come under pressure from an environmental group after rival supermarket chain Foodstuffs and The Warehouse announced they would be putting a price on the bags. From today, The Warehouse will be charging customers 10c per bag and Foodstuffs stores, which include New World, Four Square and Pak'n'Save, will charge 5c per bag from August 1. Progressive's management was discussing the issue, spokeswoman Kate Carter said today. "They are still looking at the options available to them." Ms Carter was not sure when a decision would be made. "I think it will take a little while, it won't be today." A nationwide campaign pushing for a levy on plastic supermarket bags was launched last month. Five years ago both Progressives and Foodstuffs signed the Packaging Accord, which set a goal of reducing the number of bags used by a fifth (144 million bags) this year. Foodstuffs have reduced plastic bag use by 19 percent since July 2007 with new packaging techniques and the sale of reusable shopping bags, managing director Tony Carter said. More at www.stuff.co.nz.

Woolworths booms in Oz, struggles in NZ (18 Apr 09)
Woolworths, Australia's biggest supermarket chain, has charged ahead of its main market rivals with a surge of almost 6 per cent in third-quarter sales to $12.3 billion. The solid performance was ahead of market expectations, and well ahead of Coles. Referring to rivals, chief executive Michael Luscombe said German supermarket chain Aldi had "done OK" and independent food retailers were "holding their own", but that Coles was "growing less than these numbers". Woolworths had increased its market share in food and liquor to 32 percent but it was "a moving feast", Mr Luscombe said. Earnings before interest and tax were expected to grow faster than sales over the full year, while net profit after tax should be in the 11-14 per cent range on a 52-week comparative basis. Woolworths delivered a 10.3per cent rise in interim net profit to $983.3 million on an 8.8percent rise in sales to $26.1billion. Australian food and liquor was the star performer, with sales up 10 per cent in the third quarter to $8.4 billion, while food inflation was running at 4.4 per cent for the quarter. In New Zealand, supermarket sales rose 3 per cent to $1 billion for the third quarter, with food inflation at 6 per cent. "New Zealand was poor. Volumes have gone backwards implying a 2.8 percent decline in real growth," said an analyst, who declined to be named. More at The Australian.

Meat and vegetable prices rise (17 Apr 09)
Food prices increased 0.5 percent in the March 2009 month, Statistics New Zealand said today. The most significant increase came from the meat, poultry and fish subgroup (up 1.4 percent), which was driven by higher prices for fresh chicken (up 3.2 percent), lamb (up 5.9 percent), and beef (up 1.5 percent). Fruit and vegetable prices were up 1.6 percent. The most significant contributions came from higher prices for lettuce (up 55.5 percent) and strawberries (up 61.5 percent). These increases were partly offset by lower prices for apples (down 16.9 percent) and potatoes (down 9.4 percent). Other subgroups that made upward contributions were non-alcoholic beverages (up 0.8 percent), and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food (up 0.2 percent). The only subgroup to decrease in the March 2009 month was grocery food (down 0.2 percent), which was driven by lower prices for chocolate bars and blocks (down 5.7 percent), cheddar cheese (down 6.9 percent), and yoghurt (down 5.1 percent). The most significant individual up-ward contribution came from plain biscuits (up 14.2 percent). For the year to March 2009 food prices rose 8.6 percent, with all five subgroups recording increases: grocery food (up 8.4 percent), meat, poultry and fish (up 12.6 percent), fruit and vegetables (up 10.6 percent), restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food (up 5.7 percent), and non-alcoholic beverages (up 5.6 percent). Within these subgroups, the most significant upward contributions came from higher prices for ready-to-eat food (up 5.8 percent), bread (up 13.4 percent), beef (up 15.1 percent), restaurant meals (up 5.7 percent), and cakes and biscuits (up 14.4 percent).

The Nest by Lake ChaliceLake Chalice Wines launches “The Nest” (26 Mar 09)
This coming Easter, Lake Chalice Wines will be launching their new wine range to the New Zealand market. The new brand called “The Nest” is a creation by owners and founders of Lake Chalice Chris Gambitsis and Phil Binnie with assistance from winemaker Matt Thomson. The Nest consists of four stunning wines from New Zealand’s best wine growing regions. To complete the range there is a fresh zingy Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc; a smooth, lightly oaked Marlborough Chardonnay; a complex Marlborough Pinot Noir; and a full flavoured, mellow Hawke’s Bay Merlot. Lake Chalice and ‘The Nest’ are both active supporters and sponsors of the Wingspan Trust based at Ngongotaha near Rotorua. The Trust was incorporated in 1992 as a registered charitable trust that has the backing of the NZ Department of Conservation. The Wingspan Trust solely relies on support from donations and sponsors to care for sick, injured and orphaned raptors, to facilitate research into their habits and habitats, to captive breed, raise public awareness and to rehabilitate birds to the wild. The Nest has adopted the native New Zealand Ruru or Morepork as it is more commonly known. Every bottle of ‘The Nest’ wine sold results in a donation to the trust to continue their good work for the Ruru. www.lakechalice.co.nz

NielsenSupermarket shoppers still focused on price – Nielsen survey (20 Mar 09)
Consumers are checking shelf prices more closely than ever before when they make their trip to the supermarket, according to new data from Nielsen. In the latest retail barometer from The Nielsen Company, 80% of shoppers say they have changed the way they shop, with 97% of all shoppers noticing the increase in food and beverage prices. With those high prices still the biggest concerns for consumers, 81% of all shoppers are now carefully checking prices on shop shelves before buying, compared to 63% in June last year, while 65% say they are buying luxury items less often. The retail barometer also highlights the move to more in-home consumption and entertaining at home, with declines in the café and restaurant sectors, which have been mirrored by an increase in unit sales for more basic foodstuffs such as canned tomatoes, rice and pasta. Nielsen FMCG executive director Rob Clark told NBR that while shoppers are cutting back on luxury and non-essential items such as cheese and some biscuit segments, it did not mean they were completely cutting out the finer things in life. Beer is still a popular choice for supermarket shoppers and the continuing falls in the price of wine are also good news for connoisseurs looking for a good bargain to enjoy at home. Overall, sales at supermarkets, grocery stores and dairies were up by 4.8% in January when compared to the previous year, while fresh produce was up 5.6%. More at National Business Review.

Wairau Road Pak'n Save all go! (19 Mar 09)
Foodstuffs Auckland’s legal bill should be shrinking shortly, as rival Progressive Enterprises seems to have given up on its legal battle to keep a Pak’n Save supermarket from opening in Auckland’s Wairau Valley. Foodstuffs bought the site in 1989, started planning in 1992 and applied to build the store in 1997, completing construction in 2005. Since then Progressive has kept it tangled up in the court system through a repetitive and torturous chain of appeals, after various courts declared it illegal because of the way North Shore City Council handled its application and approval. Progressive Enterprises, which owns supermarket chains Foodtown and Woolworths, has been accused of abusing the intent of the Resource Management Act to stifle competition, claiming everything from unfair zoning through to adverse effects on traffic flow in the area. It has maintained the case is more about ensuring councils follow district plans. On February 25 the High Court appeared to have ended the fiasco, backing an Environment Court decision to allow the store to open, dismissing Progressive's pleas otherwise. Progressive had 15 working days to lodge papers to fight that decision, which expired at 5pm yesterday. Tony Carter, Foodstuffs (Auckland) Limited's managing director, said Foodstuffs is working towards a May 3 opening date. Despite the adverse effect on Progressive’s PR in the region, the Aussie company is continuing to pursue a similar course of action against another planned Pak’n Save in Te Awamutu. More at National Business Review.

Pork tenderness research confirm local product tops (13 Mar 09)
Recent independent testing carried out by AgResearch shows that 93% of pork leaving abattoirs is either tender or very tender, 7% is acceptable and 1 sample out of 400 (0.25%) rated as tough. For several years NZPork has been gathering anecdotal feedback from consumers through to chefs about variable eating experiences with pork. These seemed to be dominated by reports of the product going “tough and dry” and resultantly people losing confidence in cooking it. With this in mind, NZPork in partnership with wholesalers and abattoirs, decided to investigate whether there was any problem with production and processing that might be causing the variable eating experience. Because of the small number of abattoirs killing pigs, these were initially targeted to investigate pork tenderness variation. Accounting for just over 90% of pigs slaughtered domestically, four plants agreed to participate in a tenderness survey: Auckland Meat Processors, Alliance Group Sockburn, Freshpork BayCity Ltd, and Ashburton Meat Processors. The AgResearch-conducted study included the collection of meat samples from a total of 400 pigs (about 15% of NZ’s daily kill), the day after slaughter. The samples were collected from the tail of the Danish loin cut, chilled until the following day, and then frozen. Tenderness was determined using the MIRINZ tenderometer, an internationally recognised technique that provides a good proxy for eating experience. The timing of testing was to identify the tenderness at the earliest point that pork could be on a retailer’s shelf and purchased by a consumer. All samples were then cooked to the same internal temperature, and passed through the tenderometer’s “Bite Test”. The results show that the pork industry is doing a good job of producing a tender product and suggest that variable pork eating experiences are most likely to be due to cooking methods. The rule of thumb is to cook pork at lower temperatures, for shorter times, and allow it to rest. For cooking advice and recipes using pork go to www.pork.co.nz.

Wairau Rd supermarket battle may not be over (4 Mar 09)
After losing the latest courtroom battle just last week, supermarket giant Progressive Enterprises is considering yet another appeal in the Wairau Rd Pak'n Save war. Competitor Foodstuffs built the 4899sq m North Shore supermarket in 2005, and the property has been fenced off from the public since it was finished four years ago. Foodstuffs is planning to finally open the supermarket in May. The store will employ 300 staff, has a line of 13 checkouts designed to cope with huge demand and a 334-vehicle carpark. It could have turned over about $70 million annually so the battle has cost Foodstuffs at least $280 million in lost revenue alone. This week Progressive's general manager of property Adrian Walker and communications manager Bill Moore said no decision had been made by their company on whether to challenge the February 25 court ruling allowing the store to open. Progressive has until March 18 to lodge a claim against the decision over the store which Foodstuffs has planned for 20 years. The case has been cited by the Government as one of the reasons to overhaul the Resource Management Act, particularly in regard to anti-competitive abuse of the law. "Some of the highest costs are incurred in the so-called 'supermarket wars' where proponents and opponents have spent millions of dollars fighting each other and delays of years have resulted," the Environment Ministry says. More at NZ Herald.

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