CITRUS FRUITS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20080, 28 October 1939, Page 14

CITRUS FRUITS

RETAILERS’ PROFIT 40 PER CENT GROSS FIXATION BY STATE MINISTER’S STATEMENT (tYr i'n'ss Assorinl ion.) WELLINGTON, this day. j: The Government has decided to fix 1: tile maximum margin of profit on j citrus fruits. Retailers’ gross profits pie not to exceed the addition of 40, jpor cent to the wholesale cost of the fruit delivered at the retailors' | premises. In making this announcement last evening, the Minister of Marketing, flic* Hon. W. Nash, said il had been found there had 1 1 i11 1 c*r'o been a l ink of unanimity in retailors' gross profit oil these fruits and that, in some instances. the retailers' margin had been excessive. The margin proposed was considered sufficient to cover losses incurred by the retailer because of wastage. Considered Unsatisfactory “As a general practice, retailers sell citrus fruits at a number per shilling," said the Minister. "It is considered that Ibis method is unsatisfactory, in that, there is insufficient elasticity to reflect the alterations in the wholesale price.” Mr. Nash said that 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. "Regulations fixing' the maximum retail prices and conditions of sale for citrus fruits arc being gazetted immediately, which will make necessary the ticketing of citrus fruits on display in retail shops.

"Orange price tickets will show ‘count.' and lemon price tickets will show ‘count' and 'grade' of fruit. ‘Count’ refers to the number of fruits originally packed in a case and will be an indication to the public of the size.”