supermarkets... do you agree with them/use them?

[monkeemayhem]

Don't know if this is in the right place, but here goes... I own a small retail business in a small coastal town and we have a massive ASDA superstore opening here in late autumn. It will be the 1st one of the "big name" superstores in this town and for a 30mile radius. I'm very worried about how its opening will affect my business, i'm hoping a good amount of people will still value the local, friendly shop.
I don't agree with the way they use bully tactics to force farmers into selling their goods at ridiculously low prices or how they have spread into so many different businesses (mobiles, loans, etc), the loyalty cards they give you collect so much information on you- they could even tell when a womans period would be just from their weekly shop. They are making all towns look the same as they close down independant shops. its pretty frightening.
Do any of you value the independent high street traders who offer a more personal shopping experience or doesn't it matter as long as your goods are cheap?

[noxlumos]

What sort of trade is yours monkeymayhem?

[monkeemayhem]

hello ermintrude, small world eh?!

[ermintrude35]

...well fancy that! ...heehee, small world indeed...I work in a wellknown highstreet shop ...and I know our manager is very worried....
but I reckon the first shops to close will be the coop as it did in Port when Tescos opened there....dont know what your business is but do not underestimate the value of the local butcher, green grocers and bakers...times are changing slowly and many people what to know where thier food comes from, and dont mind paying a little bit extra ...

[oldwoman]

Who`s to say people want to shop at Asda, I never go in ours.At the moment in our Town a small shop is causing havoc because he`s selling newspapers,wine and cigs that wern`t sold there before. He also does a delivery service. If your going to go down, go down fighting.

[monkeemayhem]

thank you for your indepth and helpful answer noxlumos, I have been thinking of going more "upmarket" with my approach- if people get their cheap stuff from asda, I'll go for the top end of business and provide high quality, bespoke stuff!
Ermintrude- i'm offline in a mo but it's comforting to know everybodys thinking the same as me! I guess i'll see you in the frozen food aisle end of october along with Paul Brett!!

[ermintrude35]

...Paul Brett makes riveting reading in the old C&D herald!... do you think he has a fan club?...I guess we will all have to wait and see what happens...they are opening on the 6th November by the way....

[Minxie]

I live in an area where there are 2 large supermarkets and also a local shop. But I do tend to use the supermarkets more, as I can get everything I need at the same time. And I guess I tend to spend more, as there is more available there.

[chic21998]

monkeemayhem i totally agree with you, its a big monster called advanced capitalism and it has totally overtaken us.

Its not just with food retail, machines taking calls, press 1 ect... getting cut off for no apparent reason, internet shopping, we are becoming lazy robots and it scares the hell out of me.

I recently completed my university dissertation on something a long these lines and got a first.

With regards to your shop, Im only 23 with a massive student debt but I hope that when im older and earn a proper salary i support my local small businesses, when i travelled (during gap yr) i made a massive point to only consume local food and drink ie. no mcdonalds or coke (in central america and south east asia) so i think im quite committed to this.

i sincerely hope your business survives. Although judging by some of the replies people dont see further than convinience/prices which terrifies me.

[khana]

It's a real shame when this sort of thing happens, however, I can understand the reasons why. Sometimes its just easier to use a large supermarket due to time/money constraints.

Your idea of going upmarket is the way forward, after all, M & S Foodhalls seem to be going from strength to strength and are in no way competing against your cheap and cheerful Asda.

Stick to what you are good at which is personal service and local produce, maybe buy in more organic stuff and definately sell better quality stuff. Maybe a small shop rebranding would help, I certainly like the idea of an old fashioned style shop.

[WendyS]

We live in a large village where there are two small independent supermarkets and we try to use them for virtually all our needs on the basis of "Use it or lose it". We visit Sainsbury or Waitrose only for specialist stuff we can't get in the village. I don't like what the huge out-of-town supermarkets are doing to community life, especially for the elderly and those without transport.
I can only suggest you fight back hard, especially if you're a food retailer, and put a poster through every letterbox within walking distance of your shop explaining that you need local custom to survive, especially for those who don't have transport. You will never be able to compete with the supermarkets on price, but you will have to market yourself on being a local community asset.