New Zealand: Supermarket giant ditches supplier conference after bullying claims

Supermarket conglomerate Progressive Enterprises is reportedly planning to be a no-show at its suppliers’ annual conference following allegations that the supermarket bullied those suppliers with anticompetitive practices.

According to reports, Progressive, which runs the New Zealand-based Countdown supermarket chain, was accused of demanding retrospective payments from its suppliers and, if they did not comply, of threatening to pull those suppliers’ products from supermarket shelves. The Food and Grocery Council, which represents the suppliers, had backed claims made in Parliament several months ago against the supermarket company.

But the FGC said that its relationship with Progressive is improving, despite Progressive’s decision to skip the conference.

Progressive is currently under investigation by the Commerce Commission of New Zealand after MP Shane Jones filed a complaint.

The FGC’s conference will be held in November, say reports.

Full content: NZ Herald

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