CITRUS FRUITS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 103, 28 October 1939, Page 12

CITRUS FRUITS

RETAIL PROFIT

GOVERNMENT FIXES MARGIN

The fixation of the maximum margin of retail gross profit on citrus fruits so as not to exceed an addition of 40 per cent, to the wholesale cost of the fruit delivered at the retailer's premises, has been decided by the j Government, according to an an- j nouncement made last night by the j Minister of Marketing (the Hon. W. Nash). Mr. Nash said that it "had been found that there had hitherto been a lack of unanimity in the retailer's gross profit on these fruits and that in some instances the retailer's margin had been excessive. The margin proposed was considered sufficient to cover losses incurred by the retailer on account of wastage. "As a general practice, retailers sell citrus fruits at a number 'per shilling,' and it is considered that this method is unsatisfactory in that there is in- ! sufficient elasticity to reflect alterations in the wholesale price," Mr. Nash said. "By the adoption of the [method of selling at a price 'per dozen,' the public will receive the. i benefit of even a small reduction in I the wholesale cost. "Regulations fixing the maximum | retail prices and conditions of sale for ! citrus fruits are being gazetted immediately, which will make necessaiy the ticketing of citrus fruits on display in retail shops. Orange price tickets will show the 'count' and lemon price tickets will show the 'count' and 'grade' of the fruit. The 'count' refers to the number of fruits originally packed" in the case and will be an indication to the public of the comparative size." The Minister set out the various counts which are now being marketed, the corresponding wholesale prices a case, which include the recent rise of 3s, and the maximum retail prices a dozen which will apply in the four main cities in New Zealand. Retail prices are based on wholesale costs at the markets plus transport to shops. The prices will be:— WHOLESALE PRICES.

"At points outside the four main cities the prices will be increased proportionately by the cost of transport," Mr. Nash said. "It will now be possible to publiish from time to time for the consumer's information the maximum retail price a . dozen for the various counts."

Retail Wholesale Price. Count. Price. (doz.) 126 .„..,,. 23/- 3/2 150 24/6 2/10 176 ....*,. 25/6 2/6 200 27/- 2/4 216 ....... 27/- 2/2 252 ....... 27/- 1/10 288, 26/- 1/7 RETAIL PRICES. J doz. Jdoz. Each. Count. d. d. 126 1/7 9£ 3£ 150 . 1/5 8£ 3 176 ....... 1/3 7£ 2J 200 ;. 1/2 7 2* 216 1/1 6h 2£ 252 ....... lid 5h 2 288 ....... 9£d 5 2