A government supermarket would have to compete not just on price but on quality, convenience and range. It is no small undertaking

The Green Institute, the research arm of the Greens party, has proposed establishing a nationwide chain of government supermarkets. The proposal arises from a genuine problem, but whether it offers a feasible solution is doubtful.

The retail groceries market is less than fully competitive. Coles and Woolworths account for about two-thirds of national supermarket grocery sales, while Aldi accounts for about 9%, and other supermarkets even less.

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