Pre-Christmas Trade In Groceries Exceptional

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28179, 18 January 1957, Page 15

Pre-Christmas Trade In Groceries Exceptional

IBy Our Grocery Correspondent!

Exceptional business over the last two or three days of trading before Christmas has been reported by many grocers. As mentioned in the last grocery notes before Christmas, trade in the early part of December tended to lag. but apparently many shoppers merely deferred their shopping, causing a last-minute rush described by several grocers as “hectic.” Taking December as a whole, grocers’ turnovers will probably show a modest increase over 1955 figures.

Both the retail and wholesale sections of the trade are now returning to normal conditions, apart from the complications arising from a crop of price increases. Before the end of 1956, higher prices for some lines had already been advised as a result of the November wage increase. These were expected to be followed by others, and a long list of manufacturers and distributors has, since the New Year, issued new price lists. Further increases are expected .

The release of several items from price control has been well received in the trade. The list includes tonic foods, cocoa, cornflour, gelatine, dried peas, ammonia and caustic soda. Few items remain under control and an early announcement of the release of more commodities is hoped for. i

Brushware Prices Increased.—The local manufacturers of a wide range of brushware advise that, because of the increasing cost of raw materials and wages, prices for their products will be increased. All their domestic brushware will be subject to a 5 per cent, increase.

Condensed Milk.—An old-estab-lished brand of condensed milk nas advanced in price. New retail prices will be Is 8d a tin in free delivery I areas and Is 9d a tin in country areas. Tonic Food.—A well-known brand of patent food, packed in Dunedin and widely used throughout the country, has increased in price. The new price structure is as follows: jib tins 3s 6d each, lib tins 6s each, and 21b tins 10s 6d each. Australian Pineapple.—Better crop reports have been received from Queensland since , the drought nas broken. Although not as much rain as is required has fallen, it is sufficient to prevent a complete failure of ihe summer crop. Prices have been announced and. as was expected. these have been increased. South African Canned Fruit.— Slightly higher prices have been advised by South African canners for peaches and apricots. With the bad reports from Australia, owing to the floods which have been experienced there, many importers will be concentrating on the South African market. A good range of packs and brands are available, and these fruits have met with a good reception in previous years.

Green Peas.—This market is still hard to gauge, particularly since an Auckland canner has had to make a pro rata allocation for orders on hand. A Hastings canner has been able to confirm orders placed, and there is some likelihood of additional

?f ce , pt . ed by this firmA major South Island packer has ,> st L, far announced the quantities available, but has indicated that prices will be higher than previ-

soap Price Increased—Well-known makers of soap in Petone have increased the prices of some of their products. Their soap flakes will retail at Is 9d a packet and tb«ir n ls^lld for standard packets and 2s 4d for large packets.

AUSTRALIAN IMPORTS CLASSES AFFECTED BY RELAXATIONS (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) CANBERRA, Jan. 17. The relaxations in import control announced yesterday by the Australian Government were designed to help where most needed, the Minister for Trade (Mr John McEwen) said today. “The relaxations were not general changes across the whole range of imports but were selective to meet the greatest needs first,” he said. “To do otherwise would be to spread the butter so thin as to benefit noone.”

Mr McEwen said the most significant changes were in regard to textiles. New administrative measures would ensure that the needs of manufacturers’ quotas of textiles represented an increase of 60 per cent, over the amount allocated tor this item in July and the increase to other traders was an increase of 20 per cent.

In addition to changes in quotas. Mr .McEwen said, substantial increases, some nonrecurring, had been made in the licensing level of non-quota goods such as capital plant and machinery and agricultural implements.

On an annual basis, the relaxations this quarter were at the rate of £A3O million f.o.b.

Machinery Imports The major items affected by Australia’s relaxation of import restrictions will include machinery, machine tools, tractors and components for goods manufactured in Australia, according to an earlier message. The sum of £A20,000.000 is believed to be involved for the purchase of machinery and capital goods, and £ A 10,000,000 for textiles, raw materials and producers’ goods. Relaxations in all cases take effect from January Imports involved include goods from British and other non-dollar sources, and from the dollar area. The main dollar item will be tractors and other capital goods for development, and components for Aus-tralian-made goods. Imports to assist the textile industry will include hand tools and replacement parts for textile and cordage machines. Funds from the recent 50,000.000dollar loan approved by the International Bank will be used for purchases from the dollar area.