The government as a supermarket owner? Nationalization becomes a new trend

Until recently, the idea of nationalizing supermarkets sounded like political folklore. Now, concrete plans are on the table in Australia, New Zealand, and New York. High food prices are suddenly turning public supermarkets into a policy tool—and a direct provocation to the established retail sector.

The government becomes a discount retailer

Australia has put forward the most spectacular proposal so far. Former Member of Parliament Max Chandler-Mather wants to bring more than 200 stores from market leaders Coles and Woolworths under government control. On top of that, 424 new supermarkets and ten distribution centers are to be built. The price tag: 25.1 billion Australian dollars—equivalent to about 15.6 billion euros—over five years.