Australian supermarkets have been given the green light by the competition watchdog to continue to collaborate to ensure the supply of food and groceries to consumers during the Covid-19 outbreak.
In March, the ACCC permitted Woolworths, Aldi, Coles, Metcash and other grocery retailers to coordinate with each other when working with manufacturers, suppliers, transport and logistics providers, following a plea from Coles Group during weeks of intense grocery stockpiling.
Now, the watchdog has granted an extended authorisation until March 31 next year, based on the belief that it will benefit the public.
“The ACCC recognises the impacts that the pandemic continues to have across the economy, including within the food and grocery sector,” said ACCC commissioner Stephen Ridgeway.
“Allowing this authorisation to continue will likely result in public benefits by giving supermarket operators the opportunity to maximise consumer access to retail groceries, reduce community concerns and stockpiling behaviour, and reduce strain on retail supply chains.”
Ridgeway said the authorisation has allowed the grocers to maintain a steady supply of essentials in Victoria, including its remote areas, during the stage 4 lockdown in the state.
“The recent outbreak in Melbourne has highlighted the benefit of this authorisation, with supermarkets and authorities able to meet and coordinate their responses rapidly, maximising the availability of groceries and other essential goods,” he said.
The authorisation does not extend to the prices of any retail products, and retailers, suppliers, manufacturers and transport groups can choose to opt in or out of any arrangements.
