Usual Quiet Spell For Retailers

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31018, 25 March 1966, Page 16

Usual Quiet Spell For Retailers

(By Our Grocery Reporter] Grocery trading this year has followed the usual pattern during the first three months —normally the quietest quarter of the year.

The consumer has been faced with rates, income tax, and the outfitting of children returning to school. This has limited money available for other spending. Also, at this time the home gardener has his largest vegetable crops and his food costs are not as heavy as later in the year. Sales of jars, sugar and other home preserving supplies have helped turn-over. However, this may be on the wane as many modem housewives now tend to buy food packed in New Zealand canneries.

There was a general rise in prices early in the year, but canned peaches and fruit salad fell, mainly as a result of the lower sugar price. Importers are still experiencing trouble with extremely slow delivery of consignments into warehouses from Lyttelton. Cashin quay and the road tunnel do not appear, at this stage, to have made much difference. Overseas cereal prices have been advancing. Perhaps this can be attributed to the extensive famine in India: items such as rice have been increasing in price for the last month or so. It has been reported that the world’s sur-

plus food stocks are now practically exhausted because of this famine. Instant Onions.— Last year a general shortage and high prices for fresh onions helped the producers of processed onions to market their product. T. J. Edmonds, Ltd., were unable to cope with demand for loz packets. They now advise that these are available again, at a suggested retail of 2s 4d.

Eggs.— Some sizes of eggs have been difficult to sell, especially medium grade, according to grocers. The Egg Marketing Authority has now decided to reduce this grade by 5d a dozen, making them Is 3d cheaper than standard. Medium eggs will now retail at 3s lid a dozen, cartoned. This new price is an attractive one and should have a definite effect on sales.

Dried Apricots.— Recently it was reported that Australian dried apricots would be about 40 per cent of total orders placed—making importers look to other markets. South Africa was an obvious choice as their processing techniques have been improved and prices are attractive. But now reports from South Africa say that they have allocated all grades with the exception of five-diamond. Some lower grades could be available as there may be cancellations from other markets.

Hops.— Fov several seasons hops have been in short supply and last year was the first time that packets had been available for resale. This year it appears there will be sufficient hops for home brewers and prices are expected to be the same as last year. A delivery date has not been announced, but this should not be far away. Some stocks are at present held by retailers. Canned Apricots.— Most New Zealand canned apricots come from Central Otago, and the canners of St. George and Tul brands have now completed their pack. They have told distributors that the pack Is down about 10 per cent on last year’s figures; prices will stay the same. With this decrease in supplies, it is probable that a shortage will occur later this year.