Grocery retailers have an obligation to display unit prices correctly
In 2023, New Zealand introduced regulations on how grocery unit pricing should be displayed. By 31 August 2024, most impacted retailers will need to be compliant.
To help retailers understand their obligations, the Commerce Commission’s Unit Pricing Regulations guide for retailers clearly outlines the new requirements under the Consumer Information Standards (Unit Pricing for Grocery Products) Regulations 2023.
Why is this being implemented?
Unit pricing aims to help consumers make better informed purchasing decisions when shopping for their groceries by offering simple price comparison.
It can help consumers more easily compare the prices of a range of grocery products, especially where products are sold in different sized packaging, unpackaged and by different brands. It shows prices of products in terms of units of measurement, i.e. the price per kilogram or litre.
Who does this apply to?
The Regulations apply to any grocery retailer who has an internal floor space of over 1000sqm and sells all the following product categories, as well as to any online retailer who sells these product categories:
- Bread
- Dairy products
- Eggs or egg products
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Meat
- Fish
- Rice
- Sugar
- Manufacturer-packaged food.
When do I have to comply by?
The regulations came into effect on 31 August 2023. Physical stores must comply by 31 August 2024 and online stores must comply by 31 August 2025 at the latest.
More information
- Unit Pricing Regulations, a guide for grocery retailers, Commerce Commission New Zealand
- Consumer Information Standards (Unit Pricing for Grocery Products) Regulations 2023, New Zealand Legislation
If you’re still not sure you can contact us at [email protected] or give us a call on 0800 472 472 (1800 128 086 from Australia).
