Christmas, And “Specials” Too

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30930, 10 December 1965, Page 23

Christmas, And “Specials” Too

(Bg Our Grocery Reporter.)

Grocers are now busy coping with the Christmas rush but advertising and “specials”

—among them butter, soap, soap powders, jam, canned fruit, canned vegetables, meats and icing sugar—carry on just the same.

This gives the housewife the chance to buy every-day lines at lower prices and leaves her more money for Christmas spending. Between grocers’ “specials” and the supermarkets, housewives can buy most of the usual requirements at special prices. Fieklod Onions.—Although not a particularly large seller, pickled onions have generally been in short supply. This, of course, has been caused by the high price and scarcity of fresh onions. Some pickled onions have been bought in the North

Island but now even Auckland supplies are exhausted and there will be no relief until the new crop i« available next year. Canned Tomatoes. —Although supplies are already short, no packers will have stocks of canned tomatoes until the new season—early in the New Year. Over the years this line has been a good seller, and, like many similar canned food packs, supply has been erratic, frequently because of over-buy-ing after a shortage. It is hoped that this will not occur again in the coming year.

Sauerkraut.—For some months one of the main packers has not produced any sauerkraut, causing a shortage of this steady seller. However, stocks will soon be available from an Auckland supplier and will be in 16oz cans, with a suggested retail ot 3s 2d.

New Season's Figs.—The first shipment of Smyrna figs is at Lyttelton and could possibly be on grocers’ shelves before Christmas. These figs. In their usual packs—4oz, Boz, and 16oz Cellophane packets—are expected to sell slightly cheaper than last year.

Minced Toharoas.—Recently a North Island canner made available minced toheroas in 4oz and 15oz tins. These were well received; and now a further size will be introduced—an Boz can which is expected to retail at about 6s lid.

Coconut.—The December production of Tongan dessicated

coconut is reported to be fully committed, but considerable tonnage is expected to be available for January. Prices are high, and. while there te a general shortage of edible oils and allied products, there is little likelihood of a lower price in January, or later. Here is a round-up of some seasonal lines;— Nuts.—Generally, nuts are In short supply, particularly imported varieties. Even local walnut stocks are diminishing.

N.Z. Canned Fruit.—Stocks of peaches and pears from New Zealand caneries are exhausted and many distributors says that these two lines may soon be unavailable. Pineapple.—Because of Import control, pineapple is generally in short supply; also stocks are being delayed by congestion at Lyttelton. Canned Fish.—Most imported fish items, such as salmon and sardines, are available, although there is little variety, because of licensing. Dried Fruits.—Stocks ot dried fruits are plentiful, but could be slow in coming to hand because of port congestion.