www.businessservicesguide.com: We all hate supermarkets - that’s not what the tills say
We all hate supermarkets - that’s not what the tills say
We’re in the middle of the worst recession since the 2nd World War. So how can Tesco manage to sell us £1billion worth of goods every week? This week, I listened to a radio phone-in, discussing the topic, “Are Supermarkets really super?” No prizes for guessing what the overwhelming opinion was, but to be fair, that all depends on how you define the word ‘super’.
Put aside the thoughts of super meaning delightful and wonderful. Just think about SUPER-normal profits and you may well begin to nod in agreement. SUPER-sized markets is how I define them. Underneath the bright lights and corny music, it’s a bigger, more organised version of a local market, where it’s the traders who decide what they want to sell us, at a price that the market can bear. It’s just that nowadays supermarkets are large and powerful enough to influence the entire supply and demand chain. Callers on the radio phone-in commented on the state of supermarket fruit, veg and meat in particular, and how they’ve driven down the quality and choice to undercut any hint of competition. They have the largest budget to advertise their not-so-special offers. They’re the first to open and last to close (if they close at all). Wouldn’t you just hate a trader like that on your local market?
But let’s face it – as much as we loathe supermarkets, we’re not about to stop using them, they’re just too convenient. And to all the busy mums out there, you really haven’t lived if you’ve never experienced strolling around a supermarket at 10pm. There’s no kid-power arguments over cereals and sweets, there's empty tills and aisles (there’s very little fresh produce, but that’s a small price to pay), time to look at the clothes section...heaven!
So here’s the solution. Use Business Services Guide to create your own on-line market-place, where all your favourite local traders can still be found. Just like the market traders, they all have adverts with a bit of banter to attract the shoppers who’re around. But now you can send them an e-mail to ask them what’s in season, ask which cut of meat they’d recommend for Sunday lunch, and which wine which would go with that new dish you’re trying at home instead of dining out. Their information is available 24/7, and in person they’re more knowledgeable and probably a good deal friendlier than the stressed staff on the customer services desk at your local supermarket.
It may never replace the convenience of the weekly supermarket shop, but then again, I for one wouldn't want to.
Put aside the thoughts of super meaning delightful and wonderful. Just think about SUPER-normal profits and you may well begin to nod in agreement. SUPER-sized markets is how I define them. Underneath the bright lights and corny music, it’s a bigger, more organised version of a local market, where it’s the traders who decide what they want to sell us, at a price that the market can bear. It’s just that nowadays supermarkets are large and powerful enough to influence the entire supply and demand chain. Callers on the radio phone-in commented on the state of supermarket fruit, veg and meat in particular, and how they’ve driven down the quality and choice to undercut any hint of competition. They have the largest budget to advertise their not-so-special offers. They’re the first to open and last to close (if they close at all). Wouldn’t you just hate a trader like that on your local market?
But let’s face it – as much as we loathe supermarkets, we’re not about to stop using them, they’re just too convenient. And to all the busy mums out there, you really haven’t lived if you’ve never experienced strolling around a supermarket at 10pm. There’s no kid-power arguments over cereals and sweets, there's empty tills and aisles (there’s very little fresh produce, but that’s a small price to pay), time to look at the clothes section...heaven!
So here’s the solution. Use Business Services Guide to create your own on-line market-place, where all your favourite local traders can still be found. Just like the market traders, they all have adverts with a bit of banter to attract the shoppers who’re around. But now you can send them an e-mail to ask them what’s in season, ask which cut of meat they’d recommend for Sunday lunch, and which wine which would go with that new dish you’re trying at home instead of dining out. Their information is available 24/7, and in person they’re more knowledgeable and probably a good deal friendlier than the stressed staff on the customer services desk at your local supermarket.
It may never replace the convenience of the weekly supermarket shop, but then again, I for one wouldn't want to.