BUDGET LACKING BOOST FOR INVESTMENT

BusinessNZ has said that the Government’s Budget announcement provides a well-being boost for some, but is light on business investment.

Chief Executive Kirk Hope said most benefits for business are fringe in nature.

“Reduced public transport costs, scrapped prescription fees and increased ECE entitlements may have a benefit for some business owners and employees, but if we want real growth-promoting policy, businesses will need more direct investment than that,” said Hope.

Hope said some positives from the announcement include investment in the gaming industry.

“Further investment in cyclone recovery and education are essential and welcome to get New Zealand back on track. Businesses were also hoping to see investment in infrastructure and immigration to assist in increasing productivity.” Read more here

Beerfest Asia 2023

Award-winning local brewers RedDot BrewHouse, Brewlander, Sunbird Brewing Company and Lion Brewery Co are among the headlining brands of Singapore-made craft beers at Beerfest Asia 2023, taking place from 22 to 25 June on new festival grounds at the Kallang Outdoor Arena, the open carpark space outside Leisure Park Kallang.

With over 600 varieties of beer from around the world, the 13th edition of Beerfest Asia will feature the most extensive line-up of exhibitors ever at the event, with over 100 booths offering top-selling brews, fresh new flavours and a unique curation of gourmet food over four days for beer

WHERE HAVE ALL THE AVOCADOS GONE?

Foodstuffs North Island Merchandise Manager of Produce Brigit Corson, with Primor Head of Domestic Avocado Sales Regan Booth, explained what had happened to New Zealand Avocados.

As a favourite toast topper for Kiwis, many have noticed Avocados have become scarce from supermarket shelves lately. Foodstuffs North Island’s Produce Merchandise Manager Brigit Corson revealed a few things at play.

“The main reason we’re seeing fewer Avocados on supermarket shelves is because the Avocado season has run short,” Corson shared.

enthusiasts and festival-goers.

Highlights include top-rated Australian craft breweries Range, Mountain Culture, One Drop and Deeds, Vault City from Scotland, Sudden Death from Germany, Overtone, Tartarus and North Brewing from the United Kingdom, Jing A from Beijing and Young Master Ale from Hong Kong. Beerfest Asia also welcomes local breweries joining the festival for the first time, such as Rye and Pint, Ollie Hard Seltzer and Alive Brewing.

Attendees can expect a buzzing entertainment line-up with over 30 musical acts across four days.

Read more here

Primor’s Head of Domestic Avocado Sales Regan Booth, who supplies most of the Avocados for Foodstuffs North Island’s PAK’nSAVE, New World and Four Square supermarkets, added that New Zealand was currently sitting between two seasons.

“This hasn’t happened for a few years now. Normally we have our old season and our new season mash together, so we don’t run out of product, but this year it just hasn’t worked out,” said Booth.

Read more here

New Four Square Opens In Te Kowhai

Foodstuffs North Island is pleased to announce the opening of the brand-new Four-Square Te Kowhai in rural Waikato. Featuring the latest designs and innovations, the store is operated by first-time owners Satnam and Randeep Kang. Designed to meet the needs of the Te Kowhai community, there’s a focus on convenience and ease with the new store offering a wide range of essentials, fresh foods, and self-checkouts, along with a great range of convenient meal solutions.

Read more here

2023 Grocery Charity Ball

The 2023 Grocery Charity ball has been announced, with tickets for the premier event now on sale. The event is one for the social calendar for all those in the grocery industry. Set to be held on the 14th of October 2023 at the Great Room in the Cordis, Auckland, the event has a black tie dress code.

Read more here

Economic Trends Are Finely Balanced

Economic activity remained finely balanced at the start of 2023, with a strong labour market, rising interest rates, and weather disruptions all significant influences on a cautious but still robust start to 2023. Infometrics’ March 2023 Quarterly Economic Monitor showed a 2.7 percent per annum rise in provisional economic activity in the March 2023 quarter, although several indicators signalled a more challenging economic outlook.

Read more here