Comments on: So who killed GroceryChoice?

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:43:18 +0000

nothing will convince me it would cost the large supermarkets much to simply download their current prices directly to a database .. they are just hiding behind ignorant people who don’t understand computers …

By: David Irving (no relation)

David Irving (no relation) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:54:14 +0000

That’s a bit harsh, adrian. VB isn’t that bad.

By: The Devil Drink

The Devil Drink — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:11:56 +0000

Can be arranged, adrian, if you ask nicely enough.

By: adrian

adrian — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:38:03 +0000

And anyone who drinks VB needs ECT, waterboarding and a candlelit dinner for two with Tony Abbott.

By: FDB

FDB — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:25:47 +0000

Liquorland IS Coles.

And anyone who thinks it’s the cheapest place for a slab needs ECT and waterboarding.

By: Bob the Boozer

Bob the Boozer — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:35:50 +0000

People who whinge about supermrakets need ECT. I ordered $325 from Coles this morning. It was delivered at 4pm this arvo. Delivery fee? $13. The case of VB I bought was $3 cheaper than the Liquorland next door.

By: Bob the Boozer

Bob the Boozer — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:35:49 +0000

By: fxh

fxh — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:18:54 +0000

The main thing holding ALDI back from more stores in Melb, at least, is stupid local government laws about planning, mainly parking requirements. Naturally the big two labby councils to retain the laws and support nimby residents groups to protest against reduced requirements.

I loved ALDI since they first arrived and I used to go to Olympic Village to shop and marvel at the result of their supply chain model, their flexible work roles, cash only, pay for bags etc and knowing they pay better than the others. In contrast the big ones still have checkout persons who don’t stack shelves when slack, stackers who don’t staff checkouts when the checkouts are busy.

That said Aldi fresh goods, meat etc are around the same crap variety and quality as the other supermarts.

Grocery watch was always going to be a fizzer – how far is anyone gunna drive to save $5 on a basket of goodies?

Glen @7 or so is right – with the big two there is standardised chits – it would be trivial to get people to scan them in and collate them.

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:00:38 +0000

rubbish joe2. I am well aware that there is more limited choices than in some other countries. But to blame a ‘duopoly’ ( and why and how that came about ) as the sole reason for this, and disregarding:

Planning laws – see Dr. Emersons statement, for christ sake.
Small population.
Making it difficult for ‘foreign retailers to enter the market’ – see Dr. Emerson again, for christ sake.
Crap eating habits of your average Aussie – much improved over the years fortunately – but to think we have less choice now than 30 years ago is insane.
People eating out a lot more – less demand for store bought food etc.
The inability of many an Australian manufacturer ( of food as well ) to understand that if they are to prosper they have to ‘go up market’ and trying to compete at the low end is a mugs game.

By: joe2

joe2 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:36:26 +0000

It is crazy to think the supermarket is driven completely by demand. The big two and others often tell the consumer what they want by not providing real alternatives.

Peter and GregM both fail to understand the actual limitations in product availability, for vested interests, by suggesting eccentric choice.