CITRUS FRUITS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23951, 28 October 1939, Page 12

CITRUS FRUITS

NEW RETAIL SYSTEM FIXATION OF MAXIMUM PROFIT SALES AT PRICE PER DOZEN (Per United Press Association; WELLINGTON, Oct. 27. The Government has decided to fix the maximum margin of profit on citrus fruits. Retailers' gross profits are not to exceed the addition of 40 per cent, to the wholesale cost of fruit delivered at retailers’ premises. Making this announcement this evening, the Minister of Marketing (Mr W. Nash) said it had been found that there had hitherto been a lack of unanimity ir retailers’ gross profit on these fruits, and that in some instances the retailers’ margin had been excessive. The margin proposed was considered sufficient to cover the losses incurred by the retailer because of wastage. “As a general practice retailers sell citrus fruits at a number per shilling,” Mr Nash said. “It is considered that this method is unsatisfactory in that there is insufficient elasticity to reflect alterations in the wholesale price By the adoption of the method of selling at a price per dozen, the public will receive the benefit of even a small reduction in the wholesale price.

System of Ticketing

“ Regulations fixing the maximum retail prices and conditions of sale for citrus fruits are being gazetted immediately. which will make necessary the ticketing of citrus fruits on display m retail shops. The orange price tickets will show the ‘count,’ and the lemon price tickets will show the ‘ count and the ‘grade* of fruit. ’Count refers to the number of fruit originally packed in a case, and will be an indication of its size.” The Minister set out the various “counts” which are now being marketed and the corresponding wholesale prices per 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. The retail prices are based on wholesale costs at the markets plus transport to shops.

“At points outside the four main cities the prices will be increased proportionately by the cost of port,” Mr Nash said. “It will now be possible to publish from time to time for consumers’ information the maximum retail price of a dozen for the various counts ”

Range of Prices The range of prices is as follows: — Count Wholesale Dozen Retail 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 Further retail prices are:Count idoz. idoz. Each 126 . .. l/J 9|d 3Jd 150 . .. 1/5 8Jd 3d 176 . .. 1/3 7id 2id 200 . .. 1/2 7d 2Jd 216 . .. 1/1 6£d 2id 252 , .. lid 5Jd 2d 288 . . 9Jd 5d 2d