Our History

At Foodstuffs we have a long, proud history that dates back to 6 July 1922 when the first Foodstuffs co-operative was formed in Auckland. Foodstuffs founder J Heaton Barker called together members of the Auckland Master Grocers' Association to discuss plans for the formation of a co-operative buying group. This group expanded in 1925 with the introduction of Four Square branding on members' stores.

Similar co-operatives were set up in other parts of the country including Wellington (1922) and Christchurch (1928) and Otago/Southland (1948). Initially the buying groups traded under different names, but in 1935 the name Foodstuffs was adopted by all the original co-operatives.

Since then the organisation has continued to evolve. There have been mergers over the years between the smaller regional co-operatives that make up the three co-operatives that exist today - Foodstuffs (Auckland) Limited, Foodstuffs (Wellington) Co-operative Society Limited and Foodstuffs South Island Limited.

The evolution of Foodstuffs has included several key developments which have helped the organisation continue to grow. In 1963 the New World group was formed, and the PAK'nSAVE group began with the opening of the first store in Kaitaia in 1986.

Key moments in Foodstuffs' history:

July 1922- first co-operative formed in Auckland by J Heaton Barker
1922 - Wellington co-operative established
1925 - Four Square branding on members' stores
1928 - Christchurch co-operative formed
1935 - all co-operatives renamed Foodstuffs
1937 - pams brand launched
1948 - Otago/Southland co-operative established
1963 - New World group formed
1980 (approx) - launch of barcode scanning in New Zealand
1985 - first PAK'nSAVE store opens in Kaitaia
1986 - collective wholesale turnover surpasses $1 billion
1988 - Foodstuffs (Christchurch) and Foodstuffs (Dunedin) merge to become Foodstuffs South Island Limited
1990 - collective wholesale turnover surpasses $2 billion
September 1996 - launch of Fly Buys in New World
2000 - collective wholesale turnover surpasses $4 billion
December 2002 - first fuel site established at Tamatea PAK'nSAVE
2003 - pams becomes sponsor of CanTeen
June 2007 - first self-checkout system in New Zealand introduced at Moorhouse Avenue PAK'nSAVE
2008 - New World becomes an Elite sponsor of Netball New Zealand
June 2009 - Foodstuffs announces partnership with Keep New Zealand Beautiful to eliminate excess plastic bag usage

News

New World Kaiapoi

Foodstuffs South Island is very disappointed to advise that due to the severe nature of the damage which has resulted from the earthquake, New World Kaiapoi will not be re-opening and will need to be re-built. Understandably, this is an incredibly distressing time for the local owners, Andrew and Jacqui Palmer, and their staff. The supermarket currently has 34 full time and 52 part time staff employed who will all be affected.

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