REGIONAL VARIATIONS IN GROCERY TRADE APPARENT

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28321, 5 July 1957, Page 15

REGIONAL VARIATIONS IN GROCERY TRADE APPARENT

[By Our Grocery Correspondent)

With the start of a new month, the grocery trade has shown the usual revival in Christchurch. Although June was a quiet month for the trade here Auckland reports indicate that last month was one of the dullest for several years. As in Christchurch, ample stocks of nearly all winter lines were available, but the grocers’ full shelves did not tempt the Auckland housewives. Changeable weather may have depressed trade somewhat, but the general impression was that customers were no longer spending as freely as previously. After a lull of two or three weeks a further batch of price increases was notified this week. Sauces and sandwich spreads account for most of these. Worcester Sauce Price Up.—One of the most popular brands of Worcestershire sauce, packed in Christchurch, will in future retail at - a higher price. The price will advance 2d a bottle for quarts and Id a bottle for pints. Mint Sauce.—A mint sauce packed under the same label as the Worcestershire sauce is also dearer, and will retail at Is B|d a bottle. Sponge Mix.—A little while ago a sponge mix was introduced to the New Zealand market by a wellknown manufacturer of cooking materials. The new product has met with an excellent result, sales having greatly exceeded expectations. The makers have had to ration their product and deal with three separate districts throughout the country, supplying each in rotation. Additional machinery is expected, and until its arrival the deficiency cannot be remedied. Shrimps in Jars.—Just landed in Christchurch is a small shipment of Greenland shrimps packed in jars. This is a new style, as previously most shrimps imported into this country have been packed in tins. It is claimed for the Greenland shrimps that the colder the water the better the shrimp. The retail price of these 3oz jars will be approximately 4s. Dutch Products.—A shipment of winter lines from a popular Dutch manufacturer has just arrived in

Company News

Lyttelton. These lines have been slowly increasing in popularity. Although slightly higher priced, they are of excellent quality. A full range of packet soups, which sold well last season, is included in the shipment. A new line has been imported. This is a liquid seasoning for flavouring meats, poultry, and fish, and should prove a good competitor to a similar line that is already in the market.

Californian Raisins. Merchants have been endeavouring to procure licences for these raisins since the heavy cut in the Australian supply. However, Californian packers advise that seeded crops are exhausted and seedless are rapidly selling out, and it is hoped that licences will be granted while stocks are still available. Californian new season’s raisins will. npt be available for several months.

Vegetable Extract. The local packers of a popular vegetable spread have found it necessary to increase the price of their 2oz jars by 9d per doz.

N.Z. FARMERS’ FERTILISER Profit Again Reduced

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 3.

Net profit of the New Zealand Farmers’ Fertiliser Company, Ltd., again fell in the year to May 31. It was £77.050 compared with £93,837 in 1956 arid a record £129,669 in 1955, Tax provision was £83,110 compared with £124,865 in 1956 and £78,561 -in 1955. Gross profit was £92,491 lower at £601,777. Expenses were reduced by £7795 to £388,670. A sum of £25,000 has been placed to general reserve, compared with £40,000 last year. The ordinary dividend is maintained at 8 per cent, but the bonus of 2 per cent, paid last year has been cut to 1 per cent. The total payment, with the preference dividend, is £55,475 compared with £50,164.

During the year the'capital was increased from £569,139 to £674,722 by the issue of 105,333 ordinary shares. The issue was made at a premium of 10s, and premium reserve now stands at £52,792, making the total capital reserves £75,053.

A depreciation reserve of £75,000 has been brought into the revenue reserves, which now total £383,938. Undistributed profits amount to £48,621.

Sundry creditors, which last year stood at £501,811, is £166,536. The value of fixed assets is £403,060, against £299,089 last year. Stock has been reduced from £699,287 to £445.075. Investments are £56,5u0 higher at £182,100. Last year’s bank credit of £192,122 has been reduced to £110,710.