NZ supermarkets and grocery: plain guides
Plain, sourced guides to NZ supermarkets: ownership options, the Commerce Commission's findings, every party's policy, the Foodstuffs split options and help for small suppliers.
In short
Three big grocery groups held 82% of the national grocery market in 2025, says the Commerce Commission. Foodstuffs North Island, Foodstuffs South Island and Woolworths are regulated by the Commerce Commission, and several parties want bigger changes. These guides set out the facts, each with a dated source.
Where things stand
Law today: the Grocery Industry Competition Act 2023, a revised Grocery Supply Code in force since 1 May 2026, and a wholesale access regime.
The Commerce Commission closed its wholesale inquiry on 7 July 2026 without recommending new rules at this stage.
New Zealand voted on 7 November 2026. Official results are due on 27 November, then coalition talks.
Every plan to split Foodstuffs or open a public chain is a promise, not law.
The guides
The Commerce Commission grocery report in five plain findings: What the Commerce Commission found about NZ supermarkets and their suppliers in its June 2026 reports, in five plain findings with page numbers and limits.
Every party's supermarket policy, explained: What each NZ party promised on supermarkets at the 2026 election: KiwiMart, splitting Foodstuffs, wholesale rules and price-gouging bans, with sources.
Splitting Foodstuffs: the options compared: Are PAK'nSAVE and New World the same company? How Foodstuffs is owned, the blocked 2024 merger, the Gilmours and Trents deal, and each split option compared.
What the supermarket changes mean for small grocers and suppliers: Your rights under the Grocery Supply Code, how independent grocers can buy wholesale, how to report a problem, and what each party's plan could change.
Buying a supermarket in New Zealand: your options: Compare Foodstuffs co-op ownership, FreshChoice and SuperValue franchising, and an independent grocery business. Prepare questions about selection, finance and returns.
NZ supermarket questions, answered: Short, sourced answers to the questions New Zealanders search about supermarkets: the duopoly, KiwiMart, the Foodstuffs break-up, the Supply Code and Four Square.
NZ supermarket regulation: a timeline: From the 2022 market study to the Grocery Industry Competition Act, the Supply Code, the blocked Foodstuffs merger, Gilmours and Trents, and the 2026 election promises.
NZ supermarket words, explained plainly: Plain meanings for the words in the NZ supermarket debate: Grocery Commissioner, GICA, the Supply Code, wholesale access, banner, co-op, structural separation and more.
NZ grocery key numbers, with sources: The key numbers on NZ supermarkets in one table: market shares, supplier survey results, wholesale sales, store counts and the break-up study, each with its source and date.
About this page
Merit Mana is a free resource for New Zealand small businesses. These guides explain official sources and general business considerations. Merit Mana backs no political party.