Can we do without supermarkets?

[McSwanky]

Everyone uses supermarkets, right?

We all know that the advent of supermarkets has given us a great choice, but how much choice do we have if we choose not to use supermarkets?

A local friend of mine is blogging about giving up supermarkets for 28 days here if anyone's interested...

http://westywrites.wordpress.com

Makes for some interesting reading so far...

[Scouse Hibee]

Everyone uses supermarkets, right?

We all know that the advent of supermarkets has given us a great choice, but how much choice do we have if we choose not to use supermarkets?

A local friend of mine is blogging about giving up supermarkets for 28 days here if anyone's interested...

http://westywrites.wordpress.com

Makes for some interesting reading so far...


Disappointed to read that he is still shopping online!

[Holmesdale Hibs]

I like shopping at markets and local shops but giving up the weekly trip to Sainsburys would add a few hours on to my weekend and probably a fair bit to my weekly expenditure. interesting idea to write about but I couldn't do it.

[Beefster]

I think it would be a nightmare (and way more expensive) trying to get some of the stuff we love from small, independent shops. Most meat from the local butcher but almost everything else comes from Marks.

[McSwanky]

Disappointed to read that he is still shopping online!

Interesting point. Care to elaborate?

[Scouse Hibee]

Interesting point. Care to elaborate?

When I read your OP I thought this sounds really interesting to how the blogger gets on having to source everything locally from small independant retailers without the mass choice and the convenience the supermarkets give you. Having to visit several different retailers which will be one hell of a consumption of your time was one of my initial thoughts.
I then read about him shopping online, the internet being the largest supermarket in the world where everything can be found under one umbrella via your PC!

[s.a.m]

I like shopping at markets and local shops but giving up the weekly trip to Sainsburys would add a few hours on to my weekend and probably a fair bit to my weekly expenditure. interesting idea to write about but I couldn't do it.

This is pretty much how I feel. There are small shops that I use for particular items, but I use a supermarket for the bulk of what I buy because it's much more convenient. I get the argument about the power of supermarkets, and the impossibility of competing with them for smaller retailers, and I feel sorry for them. I also recognise the role they've played in reducing quality. When it comes down to it, though, I suppose I value the convenience of being able to buy what I want, at a time that suits me, more.

I hear people on the radio and tellybox yearning for times past, when housewives pottered around town with a basket, dropping in to the grocer / fishmonger / newsagent etc.. on a daily basis. I grew up in a small town, in the 70s and early 80s where that kind of shopping was the norm, with a small supermarket to supplement the independent shops. They opened (including the supermarket) 9-5, 6 days a week with half days on Wednesday and Saturday, and offered fairly limited choice. People with access to a car travelled to larger towns, even then, to visit big supermarkets, which offered better choice and more user-friendly opening hours. Shopping locally was difficult for families where both parents worked. My mum regarded it as a massive chore, and yearned for the choice and convenience of a proper supermarket.

In the same way that Asian families found a ready market for convenience stores with extended opening hours way beyond what people were used to, supermarkets provided convenience for people who don't want to spend a substantial chunk of their valuable time sourcing provisions, or whose lives don't allow them to follow traditional shopping opening hours, or who would just rather shop at a time that suits them, rather than the retailer.

I love quality food, and actively enjoy shopping for it, and I suppose I should fall more naturally into the anti-supermarket lobby, but I really appreciate the convenience that they offer.

[danhibees1875]

When I read your OP I thought this sounds really interesting to how the blogger gets on having to source everything locally from small independant retailers without the mass choice and the convenience the supermarkets give you. Having to visit several different retailers which will be one hell of a consumption of your time was one of my initial thoughts.
I then read about him shopping online, the internet being the largest supermarket in the world where everything can be found under one umbrella via your PC!

If the author is looking for feedback on her idea I'd agree with what SH is saying.

I was under the impression there would only be local retailers used. :agree:

[Speedy]

If the author is looking for feedback on her idea I'd agree with what SH is saying.

I was under the impression there would only be local retailers used. :agree:

I agree. Especially since there was a trip to an online "superstore" on day 2 and day 5/6.

What's the point? I'm not really sure what he/she is trying to achieve.

[McSwanky]

I showed the blogger this thread and she(!) has referenced some of the comments above in her latest post...

[Scouse Hibee]

I showed the blogger this thread and she(!) has referenced some of the comments above in her latest post...


:thumbsup: Just read it.

[RyeSloan]

Hmmm interesting blog. The word ethical springs up a lot but I'm left wondering as to the exact definition of this.

You also have to wonder how ethical multiple small deliveries of goods are compared to the centralised large scale deliveries to supermarkets.

I'm assuming the blogger will come to the conclusion that certain products can be sourced locally with relative ease that also provide good value and quality while others simply can't (nappies!). I.e there is a role for local shops as well as supermarkets.

I honestly think we are a bit spoiled when we start to complain about supermarkets...sure a huge portion of the worlds population would be absolutely delighted to have the range and affordability of a UK supermarket available to them.

[Bishop Hibee]

I work a couple of evening shifts 4-8 in my mates' deli and while there are a few people who do a lot of shopping there, most people at that time come in for a wee treat of cakes, wine, beer, cheese, olives etc to go with their meal. It would be difficult for anyone with a family on the average wage or below to live without supermarkets.

I use my local butcher and fish van but for cheap, good quality fruit, veg, milk etc you can't beat the budget supermarkets. Lidl are known to be shocking to their staff though and no way are they allowed to join a union.

[IWasThere2016]

I loathe supermarkets but they take some stress/time out of shopping so I use them!

I do think they need reigned in, however I doubt the Government(s) would do this.

[GrangemouthHibs]

In response to the OP, No. I work long hours. And weekends. Don't have all this time to swan about with the kids deciding which fresh fruit market I'd like to frequent. Local 'all hours' shops although convenient, are agreeably overpriced, therefore I have to bite the bullet and pay over the odds most days. The likes of ASDA gives me a chance to buy what and when I like. Are they killing local shops. Yes, course they are. Don't think there's been any question about that the last 20 years. Basically I agree with the campaign :thumbsup: but.... I'm skint. £20 for an underskinned is a bit rich for my blood.

[Jones28]

If supermarkets and wee shops could co-exist then I would not loathe them in the way I do now.

Crollas of Newhaven was always the local shop when I was growing up. Mark was the main man, I'll never forget him or his shop. But just across the road a new asda opened up, meaning that a lot of the business went over the road. School kids would walk past in their dozens to get to asda for lunch, missing out the local shop and going to asda because they knew it and its choices.

Marks closed, asda dominates, the wee man being crushed by the multinational companies continues.

I hate them, but you can't afford to not use them. That's the worst part.

[heretoday]

I work a couple of evening shifts 4-8 in my mates' deli and while there are a few people who do a lot of shopping there, most people at that time come in for a wee treat of cakes, wine, beer, cheese, olives etc to go with their meal. It would be difficult for anyone with a family on the average wage or below to live without supermarkets.

I use my local butcher and fish van but for cheap, good quality fruit, veg, milk etc you can't beat the budget supermarkets. Lidl are known to be shocking to their staff though and no way are they allowed to join a union.

Lidl can be pretty bad to customers too! They can't wait to get you through the checkout. It's tough on old folk especially who have to faff about with their bags and money.

I go to my butcher for superb fresh meat but you can't beat Tesco for pants and socks!

[jabis]

If supermarkets and wee shops could co-exist then I would not loathe them in the way I do now.

Crollas of Newhaven was always the local shop when I was growing up. Mark was the main man, I'll never forget him or his shop. But just across the road a new asda opened up, meaning that a lot of the business went over the road. School kids would walk past in their dozens to get to asda for lunch, missing out the local shop and going to asda because they knew it and its choices.

Marks closed, asda dominates, the wee man being crushed by the multinational companies continues.

I hate them, but you can't afford to not use them. That's the worst part.

mark and his good lady have a sandwich shop now,top of broughton st(across from fish shop)sure he would be happy to see you,with his welcoming smile and hearty greetings :greengrin
miss the shop and banter,got rather p*ssed on the closing day,due to him getting rid of some stock :thumbsup:

oh ! and I now get meat from the butchers,and great bread from Earthy,and have to try the veg delivery thing....great blog !

[Speedy]

Lidl can be pretty bad to customers too! They can't wait to get you through the checkout. It's tough on old folk especially who have to faff about with their bags and money.

I go to my butcher for superb fresh meat but you can't beat Tesco for pants and socks!

It is a pain being rushed in lidl/aldi but on the other hand it keeps prices down and saves you standing in a queue waiting for other people.

Wouldn't fancy working there.

[heretoday]

It is a pain being rushed in lidl/aldi but on the other hand it keeps prices down and saves you standing in a queue waiting for other people.

Wouldn't fancy working there.

Someone told me the Lidl staff are the best paid in the business. I doubt that means very much but it could explain their robotic checkout behaviour.

[Speedy]

Someone told me the Lidl staff are the best paid in the business. I doubt that means very much but it could explain their robotic checkout behaviour.

Lidl and Aldi staff are both paid about an extra pound an hour compared to the main supermarkets. I still wouldn't fancy working there.

[Betty Boop]

Apparently not, if you are poor and want to eat.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/mar/29/asda-welfare-scheme-birmingham

[McSwanky]

Everyone uses supermarkets, right?

We all know that the advent of supermarkets has given us a great choice, but how much choice do we have if we choose not to use supermarkets?

A local friend of mine is blogging about giving up supermarkets for 28 days here if anyone's interested...

http://westywrites.wordpress.com

Makes for some interesting reading so far...

Yesterday was her last day, she says thanks for all the comments. You can read the full story here...

http://westywrites.wordpress.com