Supabarn Supermarkets Pty Ltd has agreed not to enter into new restrictive provisions in supermarket lease agreements, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission announced today. The ACT-based group is a family owned and run supermarket operator with five full service stores in the ACT and NSW, including one in the Canberra Centre in Canberra’s CBD. Supabarn has undertaken not to seek any restrictive provisions in new leases. Supabarn only has one existing supermarket lease containing a... ...Read more »

The Federal Government is moving with states and territories to ensure planning laws do not “unjustifiably restrict competition in grocery retailing”, Competition Minister Dr Craig Emerson has advised. A NSW government review of anti-competitive features of its planning and zoning laws is underway and the Federal Government is looking to work with the state government on a range of measures. In its grocery inquiry report, the ACCC found that planning and zoning legislation restricts competition... ...Read more »

The ACCC agreement with Coles and Woolworths to get rid of restrictive shopping centre leases has been welcomed by leading industry players as a step toward a more competitive grocery sector. Outlined below are the reactions of prominent players: ACCC “This is a major breakthrough for grocery competition in Australia,” ACCC chairman, Graeme Samuel, said. “Reducing the barriers to entry for new and expanding players opens the possibility for Australian consumers to have greater choices in where... ...Read more »

The competition watchdog has reached agreement with Coles and Woolworths to phase out all restrictive provisions in supermarket leases. Both companies have agreed that they will not include restrictive provisions in any new supermarket leases, and in the case of existing supermarket leases, they will not enforce restrictive provisions five years after commencement of trading. This phasing out in the case of current leases takes account of commercial arrangements and rental contracts already in place,... ...Read more »

The Australian Retailers Association has welcomed an ACCC investigation into restrictive lease arrangements between shopping centre landlords and tenants. The ACCC and Federal Government reported this week that they were looking to rid the country of restrictive lease agreements that prevent more than one supermarket chain operating in a shopping centre. A move supported by ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman, who said many restrictive clauses in shopping centre leases promoted anti-competitive... ...Read more »