SELLING BELOW COST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18021, 21 February 1922, Page 8

SELLING BELOW COST.

PRICE-CUTTING IN FLOUR.

RATES ( IN CHRISTOHUROH.

GROCERS SEEKING TRADE.

[BY lELSQBAPH.—OWN COBRESrONDENT.] CHRISTCHUROH, Monday. Tlie most outstanding event in the retail grocery trade to-day is the "cut" in flour prices. For no apparent reason grocers have entered upon a price-cutting war, and are actually selling flour at a loss. Twenty-five lb. bags which wero formerly sold at 6s 6d have been reduced to 6s 9d, and fiOlb. bags which wero formerly 12s 9d are' down to lis 6d. A reduction in flour was du e to take place on March 1, and grocers have got in early with the reductions, expecting to be able to make good their losses when th« reduced price comes into operation. " There is no opportunity for grocers to profiteer on the puhlio now," remarks a retailer this morning. "We are all out after business, and, drastic cutting is taking place all the time." In regard to butter, however, tho position is different. Last week grocers were cutting tho price of butter, With the result that although the wholesale price remained the same the public were able to get it a penny cheaper. Grocers have now adjusted their differences, and 'first-grado Canterbury brands are being sold at Is 3d a lb., and second grade at Is 2d.