+34The federal Competition Bureau will publish a call for information on Sept. 28 requesting input on pricing policies used in retail grocery, building on its 2023 retail grocery market study and broader food supply chain examination.
The federal Competition Bureau is preparing to gather information on pricing policies in the retail food sector, a move that could bring closer scrutiny to how grocery prices are set in Canada.
The bureau is expected to publish a call for information on the morning of Sept. 28, asking for input on pricing policies used in retail grocery. The agency says the information will help support its broader work examining competition throughout the food supply chain. The bureau's task is to protect and promote competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses. The move builds on recommendations from the bureau's 2023 retail grocery market study.
Bureau Examines Shrinkflation And Skimpflation Practices
That study concluded that stronger competition could help improve outcomes for consumers, including through lower prices and greater innovation. The bureau continues to examine competition in the grocery sector, including areas such as production, processing, transportation and distribution. Its work also oversees how products are priced on store shelves and how consumers interact with pricing through tools such as loyalty programs. The bureau has also been examining practices including algorithmic pricing, shrinkflation, and skimpflation.
Shrinkflation refers to lowering a product's quality while maintaining or raising its price. Skimpflation happens when a product's quality is reduced while its price remains unchanged. The call for information is part of the bureau's ongoing examination of Canada's food supply chain. The retail grocery sector has drawn sustained public and political attention as food prices remain a concern for Canadian households.
The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency responsible for ensuring Canadian businesses and consumers benefit from competitive markets. Its studies and market investigations can lead to recommendations for government policy changes or enforcement action. The 2023 retail grocery market study was a comprehensive review of competition in the grocery industry. It examined issues such as barriers to entry for new grocers and the role of large chains in setting prices.
Public Input Seeks Grocery Pricing Transparency
The upcoming call for information will focus specifically on pricing policies in retail grocery, according to the bureau. Input gathered from the public and industry stakeholders will help inform the bureau's broader competition work across the food supply chain. The bureau's scrutiny of grocery pricing comes amid wider debate about the cost of food in Canada. Consumers and advocacy groups have called for greater transparency in how prices are determined at grocery retailers.
Loyalty programs have also come under the bureau's review as part of its examination of how consumers interact with pricing. These programs can influence shopping behaviour and affect the effective prices consumers pay. Algorithmic pricing, which uses software to adjust prices based on market data, has been identified as an area of interest for the bureau. The practice raises questions about competition and transparency in retail markets.
Shrinkflation and skimpflation have become common terms in the grocery sector as consumers notice changes in product sizes and quality. The bureau has been looking at these practices as part of its broader assessment of competition. The bureau's work spans the entire food supply chain, from production and processing to transportation and distribution. Pricing on store shelves is a key part of that examination.
Stakeholders Invited To Submit Grocery Market Feedback
The call for information scheduled for Sept. 28 is expected to invite submissions from a range of stakeholders, including grocery retailers, suppliers, and consumer groups. The bureau has not announced a deadline for submissions. The Competition Bureau has previously said that more competition in the grocery sector could lead to lower prices and greater innovation. Its 2023 study made several recommendations aimed at improving competition in the industry.
The bureau's ongoing examination of the food supply chain reflects a broader effort to ensure that Canadian consumers benefit from competitive markets. The upcoming call for information is the latest step in that process. Food prices have been a persistent concern for Canadians in recent years. The bureau's review of pricing policies is intended to shed light on how those prices are set and whether competition is working effectively.
The call for information will be published on the bureau's website on the morning of Sept. 28. The bureau is expected to provide details on how stakeholders can submit their input.
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CTVNews:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
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