Reply to THIS thread
Start a NEW Talkback Thread
Talkback Home

Asda vs Sainsburys - Sue W (30th May 2007 - 20:16:20) Firstly, i will apologise for another topic on Sainsburys, but it is something that people should see for themselves, and makes Mammals out burst more believeable. I know some will not agree - even to this, but some may well be surprised/interested. Today I read in the DIY Week magazine - for trade, this article taken from the Observer Newspaper. 'Asda Chief executive has been given the go-ahead to open 300 Living stores (homewares stores) by parent Wal-Mart. Asda chief announced his plan to beat the £3.5Billion sales growth target set by grocery chain and rival Sainsbury's boss Justin King. Sainsburys is reportedly embarking on a non-goods drive to increase their sales over the next three years, with non-food accounting for about half of its supermarket estate' So there we have it - Sainsburys have laid down the gauntlett for others to follow - not at all like the suggestion in his letter of 'When many of our competitors are focusing on non-food ranges, We never compromise our food offer and include non food ranges when space permits. They purpose built space, compromised their food ranges and smoked screened the new products by saying Liphook demanded it. So are Sainsburys supplying your needs - or are you supplying theirs?

Re: Asda vs Sainsburys - Steve Read (30th May 2007 - 23:03:43) Sorry Sue I have to disagree with you here, all business customer relationships benefit both parties or meet both their needs as you put it. Do you run your business for the fun of it, just to brake even, or to be here for the welfare of the village and a bit of community spirit. No, you do it to make a profit and a living hopefully better than what you would working for somebody else, for you and your family. In the same breath people use your shop because its there and you stock the items people want. Yes, you will get a small percentage of loyalty from regulars etc, but the overiding factor with all business is that you have something ie: product, service or skill that people want and granted this does not always boil down to the cost or bottom line. If you've got it and people want it, you are on a winner no matter how big the shop is. Mind you when you find that elusive item or niche let me know will you.

Re: Asda vs Sainsburys - Sue W (31st May 2007 - 09:12:45) Steve I realise that your reply was in total support of our plight and I know all about competition etc, and quality/service. What I was trying to point out, that the selling point for the new products - was not the real reason. As written by Mr Justin King. If it was Asda or Tesco, you know exactly what you get you expect them to be underhand. Their are quite open about it. Mr King just whitewashed the situation with completely the wrong reason. I know all too well the situation, and unfortunately with Asda now creating more of the same, so, so many more Mr & Mrs Independent will fall out of the chain, regardless of how 'special' you make yourself. Many bigger/better shops have already closed throughout the country and here in Liphook when sainsburys first came. More will follow. To be able to continue with something you must be able to see a future. right at this point its very cloudy. We are still here, and for the time being hope to remain. But this new growth of products will not be the end of it, much more will follow - and niche markets can only be filled by a few. I presume with your knowledge that you also know that many more suppliers are closing, choice is being taken away of what products to buy, and many are unsure of the future too. The products that seem to be on offer are at the 'expensive' end of the market, (quality not better) and I for one don't think that Liphook would be able to support such - not in todays situation when most posters talk of Sainsburys being 'cheaper' price does matter - perhaps in about 5-10 years time. One of our suppliers Typhoon is now in administration, through competition of their 'Jamie Oliver' brand products, by Jamie Olivers licencing operation Fresh Retail Ventures. We are certainly in a very mixed up world of retail. Sue

Re: Asda vs Sainsburys - Trev (31st May 2007 - 19:07:36) Steve How is your grout pen? Special enough treatment for you? Used our Sunday off to purchase this in Sunbury, you had it on tuesday - perhaps this is the niche market you are looking for? KFC on the way back was excellent!! Trev

Re: Asda vs Sainsburys - Steve Read (31st May 2007 - 20:07:27) Blimey Trev what you doing on here, do you know your way around one of these fandangled computor jobbies. Superb by the way (the pen) and thankyou for your excellent service, you are by far the best and will recommend to all and sundry. (Commission expected). Mind you its a good job I don't have a dog, you aint got no beware of the dog signs. LOL. Don't tell me you've got to go back up the warehouse and suffer another KFC, I know its tough mate but someone's got to do it. Thanks again for your help, "er indoors" made a good job of it whilst I was watching the TV.

Re: Asda vs Sainsburys - Trev (31st May 2007 - 21:24:45) Steve, Sorry matey, got Beware of dog signs at same time. LOL along with Please shut the Gate and the must have 'No Smoking' ones. Trev

Re: Asda vs Sainsburys - Suew (31st May 2007 - 22:14:07) Steve, You know Trev as well as I do. Bit concerned that when I picked up the 'Beware of the Dog' signs, he smiled and said 'that would be good for your shop.' On the 'door' - or on the 'shelf' - ????!!!!

Reply to THIS thread
Talkback Home