Member Matters
ACCC interim report
7 October 2024
The ACCC’s supermarkets inquiry interim report was published 27 September. The report flags the ACCC’s intent to deepen its investigation of several aspects of the sector, including:
- the competitive significance of various barriers to entry, including ‘land banking’
- how best to measure the profitability of Coles and Woolworths
- the impact of buyer power on suppliers and the efficient operation of grocery supply chains.
Additional submissions have been requested from stakeholders on these and other subjects by 18 October.
The ACCC is also preparing multicategory case studies, examining prices and margins along the supply chain. The product categories identified and most relevant to AFGC membership include:
- milk
- cereal
- biscuits
- pet food
- dishwashing tablets.
AFGC members operating in these categories may be contacted by the ACCC.
The ACCC will hold several public hearings in the coming weeks. These hearings will focus on consumer representatives, supplier representatives (including the AFGC) and retailers. It is unlikely that individual companies will be called to appear.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of the ACCC inquiry, please contact rick.umback@afgc.org.au or samantha.blake@afgc.org.au
