Cold Weather Trade Is Getting Into Its Stride

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29233, 17 June 1960, Page 17

Cold Weather Trade Is Getting Into Its Stride

[By our Grocery Correspondent)

Now that winter is really here the cold-weather grocery trade is getting into its stride. Unseasonable weather has until now upset sales of the usual winter lines such as canned vegetables because fresh vegetables have been selling at lower prices than is often the case. Now until the end of September is the best selling period for canned vegetables, soups and so on. The grocery trade and the buying public are hoping for tax reductions with the coming sitting of Parliament. Business still lacks the thrust that was expected earlier because full relief in taxation did not come. Tobacco and cigarettes are the two items most affected in the trade since duty was nearlydoubled two years ago. This leaves a low profit for those sections of the trade handling tobacco and cigarettes. Instant Coffee.—lnstant coffee Is still a bone of contention in the trade. An Australian-produced instant coffee is still on the ration list, and equitable distribution is very difficult. New Zealand-pro-duced instant coffees are available in different qualities, and now a Dunedin firm is to put a 2oz jar on the market. It has already been tried on the Southland market and has met with a favourable reaction. The coffee is said to be on international standard and it should find a ready market. A price advantage of 4s lid—against the 5s 6d of other makes —should help its sales. Bran Cereal.—Reappearance of an Australian breakfast bran cereal came this year with the granting of a licence to a New Zealand subsidiary making other cereal products. Latest advice is that the firm has installed up-to-date plant to make sure of continuity of supI plies The pack and price stays the I same. I Big Cigarette. —A Wellington cigar--1 ette manufacturer has announced that it will shortly release an international king-size cigarette Today the trend overseas, particularly m the United States. i» towards longer cigarettes. The international kingsize cigarette is 3 5-161 n long, making it the largest cigarette in New Zealand. The cigarette will not be marketed under the firms present

brand. The new cigarette should be on the market soon in a pouch pack of 20 for 2s Bd. Raspberry Custard.—A custard powder made in Christchurch will soon come tn a raspberry flavour. Raspberry custard has been on the market before, but this comes in a new flavouring and will also be coloured. The new custard will retail at Is 3d for the Jib pack and 2s 3Jd for the 11b pack. Until now vanilla has been the top seller in custards.

West Coast Gold Dredge Returns (New Zealand Press Association) GREYMOUTH, June 16. Just over 100 more ounces than at the corresponding working last month were recovered by the two West Coast gold dredges. Arahura and Kanieri for the half-month ended June 15. The two units hauled in 884 oz, with the Kanieri having the better of the workings to recover 6250 z from 125.000vds in 206 hrs. Arahura’s work was over 111.000yds in 227 hrs for a considerably smaller gold haul of 2590 z.

BUSINESS PERSONAL Mr J. L. Hay who recently Intimated a wish to retire from the board of Vibrapac Blocks. Ltd., has accepted an invitation to become an advisory director and his services are thus retained by the company. The board has appointed Mr J Murphy, general manager of Vibrapac, an associate director of the company.

Adelaide Wool Sale.— Prices at the second day of the Adelaide wool sales were fully firm on the opening rates, making values fully 2J per cent, above the close of the last Adelaide sale. Main buyers were Eastern and Western Europe, Japan, the United Kingdom and Australian mills. France was again active.—(N.Z.P.A.)