Grocers Declared "Pirates" By Fruit Retailers

Chronicle (Levin), 23 August 1949, Page 4

Grocers Declared "Pirates" By Fruit Retailers

Press Association )

(Per

WELLINGTON, Augusfc6 22. With. few receptions, grocers were today the worst "pirates" of any trades ia NeW Zealand, particularly on that of the legitimate fruiterer. This wa? stated by Mr. L. K. Jonkers, jireaident of the New Zealand Federation of Retail Ffuiterers and Greerigrocers, in his report to the annual -meeting of the federation. Mr, Jonkers was eommenting on the adverse report that emanated front tho last annual meeting of the Grocdrs' Federation. During the past two years, he said, this practice among grocers had growil enormously until it was now seriously affecting the economic structure of the retail fruit 'industry. The usual practice of the grocer Was to take tbe cream of the trade in that he featured only those lines which he could buy eheaply and sell to advantage, as he had ample stocks- of other goods. He could eliminate all unprofiitable lines from his buying without detriment to his shop display. Against this,' Mr. Jonkers said, from the very nature of his business, the retail fruiterer was eompelled to stock . a complete range of fruit and vegetables and looked to the profitable lines to offset those which were unprofitable. With the invasion of thd grocera this was becoming mora diffieult.