ACCC releases interim report into supermarkets

Following on from the ACCC announcing legal action against Coles and Woolworths, the ACCC’s Supermarkets Inquiry Interim Report was released on 27 September. The report details issues such as concentration and competition in the supermarket sector, rising prices and shrinkflation, supermarket buyer power, and other consumer and producer concerns.

During its initial work, the ACCC received over 80 public submissions and spoke to more than 21,000 customers across Australia between February and April 2024 — the largest number of responses it has ever received for a consumer survey.

It also held seven roundtable discussions across the nation for farmers and produce wholesalers to discuss their experiences with supermarket supply chains.

The Interim Report makes no specific findings or recommendations, which are set to be included in a Final Report in early 2025. However, the details in the Interim Report can be downloaded here. 

The ACCC has invited further feedback on the key issues raised in the Interium Report, which can be emailed to supermarkets@accc.gov.au by 18 October.

A new mandatory Food and Grocery Code is currently open for consultation until 4 October.

The next phase of the Supermarkets Inquiry will see the ACCC conduct hearings with the supermarket sector throughout October and November 2024.

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