Shell New Zealand and supermarket chain operator Progressive Enterprises were first off the mark, with their announcement yesterday of the launch of their linked grocery fuel discount scheme next week.

But within hours, rival Foodstuffs, which operates the New World and Pak ‘N Save chains, said it was joining BP in a scheme to be launched next month.

From Monday, people who shop at any of Progressive’s 153 Woolworths, Foodtown and Countdown supermarkets and spend $NZ40 or more, will receive a fuel discount voucher cutting 4c per litre off the pump price at Shell stations.

Shell NZ general manager of retailing Mark Forsyth said its fuel discount program covered petrol, diesel and LPG Autogas. Customers could also collect Fly Buys points on their purchases through the Fly Buys loyalty scheme.

Ironically, Foodstuffs’ New World chain is part of the Fly Buys scheme.

Foodstuffs chief executive Tony Carter said its discount fuel docket scheme with BP would offer similar discounts.

The New Zealand fuel discount schemes, which could knock 2.8% off the cost of the country’s transport fuel bills, are similar to those that have been operating in Australia for several years.

In Australia, Shell has an alliance with Coles Myer, in which customers with Coles supermarket vouchers get 4c/litre off their petrol purchases. Woolworths also has an alliance with Caltex Australia and most other Australian supermarkets are linked to a similar scheme.