Turning to the Auatralian Competition and Consumer Commission’s inquiry into supermarket prices, where Woolworths executives (past and present) are in the hot seat for a second day of grilling.
So far, Naomi Sharp, SC, the counsel assisting the commission, has asked questions about the supermarket’s Everyday Rewards loyalty scheme and how the data is collected and handled, as well as some questions about self-serve check-outs.
Sharp flags she’s looking to dig deeper into supply chain issues and Woolworths’ trading terms with fruit and vegie suppliers. This comes as no surprise, as Sharp tried to touch on this topic on Monday, and the Woolworths panel deferred by indicating responses would be provided on Tuesday.
Woolworths chief executive Amanda Bardwell at a hearing of the ACCC’s supermarket inquiry.
Turning to Woolworths’ document of trading terms, which covers commercial and general terms, Sharp asks Woolworths chief executive Amanda Bardwell if they apply to any supplier.
“I’m not specifically across this level of detail,” Bardwell responds. Being only a few months into the job, the inquiry has heard this response a few times, but Sharp is after some answers.
“Is there anybody else who can?” Sharp asks. “Woolworths was given a list of topics that may be addressed for this hearing, wasn’t it? And one of those broad topics was supply chain?”
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Bardwell responds in the affirmative.
Sharp: “And one of them was processes for negotiations with suppliers?”
Bardwell: “Yes.”
Sharp: “So I take it Woolworths will be able to answer questions about those processes today?”
Bardwell: “We’re able to provide a high level of clarification, but when we’re talking about specific, detailed contract documents and the like, as we’ve shared earlier, we’re probably not equipped to be able to help with those very specific questions.”
Sharp asks if Bardwell has familiarised herself with issues raised by the Australian Food & Grocery Council and by suppliers to prepare for Tuesday’s hearing.
Bardwell says she’s “certainly aware of them broadly” but not looking to give “specific guidance” for matters she’s “not specifically involved in”.
“Let’s see how we go,” Sharp says.