A new war has broken out between the nation's supermarket giants - and this time, the consumer is not the winner.

Think discount specials are due to stock surpluses or items approaching their expiry dates? A new book claims that suppliers take the hit by being obliged to support supermarket promotions because the power is with retailers.

Cut-throat competition between the country's supermarket giants is resulting in some of the best cheese deals seen in years, with 1kg blocks of mild, colby and edam selling for as little as $6.99.

Major breweries are battling for market share as the taste for "quality" beer takes hold in supermarkets and pubs. Geoff Cumming follows the consumer-led revolution.

A supermarket's success at the national energy efficiency awards is largely down to an eco-conscious seven-year old.

Dairy giant Fonterra will reduce its domestic milk price from the end of the month and the savings look likely to be passed on to consumers at supermarkets. Fonterra froze the wholesale milk price for New Zealand after a public outcry last year.

Auckland supermarkets are selling baby milk formula to Chinese exporters thousands of cans at a time while rationing them to other shoppers, unbeknown to authorities.

Fonterra is being asked to hand over its raw milk price calculations to the Commerce Commission, as it looks into whether a full milk price inquiry is justified.

Foodstuffs Wellington is making more than 100 people redundant in the lower North Island as part of a restructuring to save $4 million a year.

Agriculture Minister David Carter has ruled out government intervention to keep milk prices down, saying high international prices will benefit the New Zealand economy.

Foodstuffs will pump $45 million into the Christchurch economy with a major extension to its Hornby distribution facility.

Hop to it - the Year of the Rabbit is almost here. Karyn Scherer goes seeking guidance on what's in our stars.