ACCC supermarket report   :(
2025-03-21
greens.org.au
The ACCC’s report on the supermarket duopoly’s market domination and price gouging once again highlights the need to make price gouging illegal and for economy-wide divestiture powers, the Greens say.

“The ACCC has confirmed what Australians already know: Coles and Woolworths have an iron grip on the supermarket sector, and they are using it to rip people off,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.

“They have confirmed that supermarkets are price gouging, that the sector lacks competition, and that they are among the most profitable supermarkets in the world.”

“This is why Australia needs divestiture powers and laws that make price gouging illegal.”

“Without laws to force more competition and make price gouging illegal, the supermarket duopoly will keep driving up grocery prices while raking in billions of dollars in profits.

“The Greens-led Senate inquiry put supermarket price gouging on the agenda and exposed the brutal reality of how Coles and Woolworths are exploiting their market power.

“The ACCC’s findings only reinforce what the Senate inquiry found about the duopoly’s market dominance and how everyday Australians are paying the price.”

“The political duopoly has long protected the supermarket duopoly at the expense of people who are struggling to afford basic groceries. The onus is now on them to take action.

“They talk tough but refuse to back the laws we need to bring prices down.”

“We need strong, anti-price gouging laws and divestiture powers to break up monopolies and duopolies that are squeezing people dry.”

“The Greens have legislation ready to go, Labor and the Coalition just need to find the political will to stand up to their corporate mates.”

whiteknight wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2025 at 9:42am:

ACCC supermarket report   :( 2025-03-21 greens.org.au The ACCC’s report on the supermarket duopoly’s market domination and price gouging once again highlights the need to make price gouging illegal and for economy-wide divestiture powers, the Greens say. “The ACCC has confirmed what Australians already know: Coles and Woolworths have an iron grip on the supermarket sector, and they are using it to rip people off,” Greens Economic Justice Spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said. “They have confirmed that supermarkets are price gouging, that the sector lacks competition, and that they are among the most profitable supermarkets in the world.” “This is why Australia needs divestiture powers and laws that make price gouging illegal.” “Without laws to force more competition and make price gouging illegal, the supermarket duopoly will keep driving up grocery prices while raking in billions of dollars in profits. “The Greens-led Senate inquiry put supermarket price gouging on the agenda and exposed the brutal reality of how Coles and Woolworths are exploiting their market power. “The ACCC’s findings only reinforce what the Senate inquiry found about the duopoly’s market dominance and how everyday Australians are paying the price.” “The political duopoly has long protected the supermarket duopoly at the expense of people who are struggling to afford basic groceries. The onus is now on them to take action. “They talk tough but refuse to back the laws we need to bring prices down.” “We need strong, anti-price gouging laws and divestiture powers to break up monopolies and duopolies that are squeezing people dry.” “The Greens have legislation ready to go, Labor and the Coalition just need to find the political will to stand up to their corporate mates.”

You can always shop at your local deli.

Quote:

The ACCC’s report on the supermarket duopoly’s market domination

It is not a duopoly. You started another thread on this, but could not even tell us what price gouging is. The Greens cannot either. You cannot outlaw something if you cannot define it.

It could be a duopoly or oligopoly or polyvinyl, nobody cares. Maybe price gouging, price gagging or priceless, a special today gone tomorrow. Hard to say, really. Could be eh?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-21/accc-supermarkets-inquiry-key-takeaways-coles-woolworths-aldi/105079916

Buy Woolworths 29.93 AUD
+1.78 (6.32%) today
or pack of lamb chops.

Quote:

It could be a duopoly or oligopoly or polyvinyl, nobody cares.

The ACCC would not bother to investigate if it was an efficient market.

inefficient = price gouging
wholesale lamb carcase $160.
retail lamb gouge          $350.

I've never even seen a whole lamb in woolies.

Ironically, the smaller chains like Foodworks, IGA and local Delis charge way more for same items than Woolworths and Coles.

IGA does have some very cheap beef.

freediver wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2025 at 12:15pm:

I've never even seen a whole lamb in woolies.

https://focus.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/thumbor/qZEaw5ffz8dHpvc1DeTyQIXs-UA=/0x0:2250x3000/2250x3000/prod-mh-ireland/3f035fb6-7804-11ed-9d3d-0210609a3fe2.JPG

That's Aldi numbnuts. Woolies is green trolleys

Also, it is outside.

Can anyone tell us what price gouging is? Other than charging a different price to whatever the communists in the Greens party want to set the price to?

Or will WK have to start another thread now that I have spoiled this one.

freediver wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2025 at 3:36pm:

Can anyone tell us what price gouging is?

I posted their rough definition earlier.

Here it is again:

To determine whether a price is excessive, the Bill requires the Court to consider the price of the product if the corporation did not have substantial market power.

The definition of an excessive price is deliberately kept broad to provide the courts the discretion to determine whether price gouging has occurred based on the circumstances of the case, noting that different industries will have different thresholds for what is considered an excessive price.

However, it is recommended that in making a determination, the courts consider:

- Whether the price is excessive relative to cost

- Whether the price is excessive relative to the economic value of the product provided

- Whether the price is excessive compared to if there was greater competition in the market

- Whether a corporation has used the cover of an unusual event that has led to a shortage of a good or service or where there is excessive demand for a good or service, to increase prices above what is required to cover an increase in input costs.

So Woolies and Coles are gouging, but the more expensive Independent or smaller chains and corner shops are not?

Jasin wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2025 at 3:44pm:

So Woolies and Coles are gouging, but the more expensive Independent or smaller chains and corner shops are not?

Dunno.

I don't have a dog in this fight.

FD asked a question, and I answered it for him.

Personally, I think any supermarket should be able to charge whatever they want.

They're in the business of making money, not the business of feeding people.

If IGA or Coles wanna charge $450 a kilo for steak, that's their business.

Can't imagine they'll get too many customers though.

freediver wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2025 at 3:36pm:

now that I have spoiled this one.

Woolies are jumpers or jumbuck. A carcase is sold wholesale. The bits chopped up have prices which total around 200% of wholesale.
Communists and freediver eat beef.

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2025 at 3:42pm:

Here it is again: To determine whether a price is excessive, the Bill requires the Court to consider the price of the product if the corporation did not have substantial market power. The definition of an excessive price is deliberately kept broad to provide the courts the discretion to determine whether price gouging has occurred based on the circumstances of the case, noting that different industries will have different thresholds for what is considered an excessive price. However, it is recommended that in making a determination, the courts consider: - Whether the price is excessive relative to cost - Whether the price is excessive relative to the economic value of the product provided - Whether the price is excessive compared to if there was greater competition in the market - Whether a corporation has used the cover of an unusual event that has led to a shortage of a good or service or where there is excessive demand for a good or service, to increase prices above what is required to cover an increase in input costs.

Our government, as well as others, deliberately issues monopolies on a massive scale for the exact purpose of price gouging, using that definition, because it is good for the economy and good for society.

But not to supermarkets.

freediver wrote on Mar 22^nd, 2025 at 9:48am:

but could not even tell us what price gouging is. The Greens cannot either. You cannot outlaw something if you cannot define it.

You can't define it but say it is defined. The government deliberately has that purpose?
The topic is not about 'monopoly' but substantial market power.

Quote:

The government deliberately has that purpose?

That is the intention of things like copyright and patents.

Aha. Selling dead meat is equal to a patent. It's inefficient. And it's gouging which can't be defined...ok