Supermarkets in Shetland - prices, ethics and experiences

[PJ of Hildisvik]

Assuming that all those opposed to supermarkets in general actually eat food, do they trace the origins of the produce they consume back to it's original source to make sure it is from a squeeky clean ethical background?? nobodys perfect when it comes to animal welfare of say battery farmed chickens from Thailand or battery farmed salmon closer to home, if you have the money to make the best choices it's great but this is not a perfect world where a lot of the population have to make un-ethical choices even if they don't want to, agreed some people dont give a toss even if they can make a choice and it's those pillocks that want ridiculing.

[Skyumpi]

From the last few pages - x, y, z & Skyumpi all seem to have a strong opposition to Tesco or supermarkets in general.

 

I'll have to take issue with that, Infiltrator. If you can point out where I've posted about my strong opposition then I'll carry out your weekly shop for you.

 

Do any of you do the family shop each weekend with kids in tow?

 

...and this is something that really cheeses me off - "Oh, you don't have kids, do you?" as if it means my opinions can carry no weight and I "just wouldn't understand". There are other things in life that can be a lot more awkward than fitting in a shopping trip with your children. (Although it obviously is quite distracting as it certainly causes some parents to forget their manners completely and behave as if their time is somehow much, much more valuable than my own, but that's another gripe for another thread, I s'pose.)

[Guest posiedon]

Skyumpi

while continuing to do the bulk of my grocery shopping and refuelling at my local shop (as I'd miss it a helluva lot more than any supermarket in da toon).

Well said, I agree totally.

 

Infiltrator

Do any of you do the family shop each weekend with kids in tow?

I do the weekly shop every week, though not with kids in tow.

JohanofNess

More power to people willing to stand by their prinicples even though it's costing them financially. Stating I have kids and I must shop at Tesco isn't a reason to check your morals and beliefs at the door. The people you mentioned have their own reasons for not wanting to use Tesco and good on them for standing by them in the face of umpteen buy one get one frees and vouchers and all other manner of things Tesco and other massive corporations will use to make us forget

Thanks for that.

PJ of Hildisvik

Assuming that all those opposed to supermarkets in general actually eat food, do they trace the origins of the produce they consume back to it's original source to make sure it is from a squeeky clean ethical background?

I'm not opposed to supermarkets in general, just Tesco in particular.

I do try to buy whatever seems to be the most "ethically" sourced products, and not just food, I wouldn't buy anything made in the sweatshops of China for instance.

[Roachmill]

@PJ of Hildisvik: No, I don't check every single individual ingredient in everything I buy but I do try and go for ethical produce when I can. What's your point?

 

@Infiltrator: Yes, I do the shopping Infiltrator. Not all of it mind you, but definitely my equal share. Bring kids in to it is cheap and none of your business quite frankly. They certainly know about tescos and the reasons we won't shop there though.

 

And for the record Infiltrator I'm not opposed to supermarkets. I'm opposed to the thought of giving my money to a company with a huge reputation for turning wee places in to Tesco Towns. *If* it happens I want to know I and my family haven't contributed to it just for the sake of theoretically saving a few quid each week and getting out of the supermarket 5 minutes quicker. Surely that's easy enough to understand.

[Malcolm]

I must admit I had forgotten to put a visit to Tesco on my 'Things to do in Shetland in August' list. I’m sure da bairns would be delighted to visit another supermarket. Hey, we might even follow it up with a visit to the Co-op.

 

I don’t doubt that low cost food is important to consumers, particularly those with young mouths to feed, and it seems that the people of Shetland have got their wish.

 

All I’m saying is there seems to be an awful lot of hype about a shop.

 

Personally, I'm rather looking forward to a visit to the new museum.

 

 

I Agree, feeding the family id more important than entertainment anyday!

 

Indeed, feeding the family is important, as is education which for me is the genre the museum should come under.

 

 

As the topic of this thread is about grocery shopping on Shetland I fail to see the relevance of your post

[Infiltrator]

Skyumpi you're right, apologies for the above, I just replied on the back of your post - much as I'd love you to do my shopping;)

All I'm trying to get across here is that there's good reason why supermarkets are successful in todays society - folk have busy lives and can't afford to spend an entire morning shopping - for some families saving a few pounds each week or 5 mins of a shop is actually a big deal.

Our modern society has dictated the need for cheap convient food - hence the need for intensive farming and big supermarkets.

The average family in Shetland will see the arrival of Tesco as a major plus giving the coop some competition, additional choice and a quick and convient shopping experience.

I fully understand, and appluad, your stance(s) on retail and farming ethics but if everyone took the same position, the country would grind to a swift halt.

[shetlandcars]

could somebody please give the record player a quick nudge, it appears to be stuck...it appears to be stuck...it appears to be stuck...it appears to be stuck...it appears to be stuck...it appears to be stuck...

[Malcolm]

"Kick"

[Infiltrator]

LOL, as a shining example of a victim of modern society I've just had a Tesco shopping delivery

[Spinner72]

TESCO has just given every working person in Shetland a pay rise.

I trust you had their blessing to say that? Why are unemployed people excluded?

 

because they don't get paid?

 

Sorry, couldn't resist

 

I have to admit my view is very much one of "whats all the fuss". The arrival of Tesco, however, did give us the chance to stock up the freezer with plenty of reduced price flesh from the coop, so it can't be all bad

[Salmon]

 

"I have to admit my view is very much one of "whats all the fuss". The arrival of Tesco, however, did give us the chance to stock up the freezer with plenty of reduced price flesh from the coop, so it can't be all bad"

 

I think the arrival of TESCO in Shetland is cause for great celebration...remember all those years ago when Woolworths enquired about opening an outlet in Shetland?, and were refused by the local fearful trading circle.

 

Because of the trading power of TESCO they would never be welcomed to trade in Shetland if applying at the front door....Somerfield ( god bless their wee corner store socks ) have let the trading giant in the Shetland back door.

 

I saw da crooded car park at Tesco dastreen. Foo o Mercs, BMWs, an da laek

 

BMW's and Mercs? - are you sure you were in the right car park?

 

Call me pedantic but I can't see any BMW's or Mercs in the SN photo - maybe you were in the Council car park

 

http://www.shetland-news.co.uk/news_07_2008/Thousands%20spend%20thousands%20at%20Tesco.htm

I really liked that one

[sheepshagger]

hip hip hooray now you can get ripped off by a supermarket at either end of the town, instead of the nasty fat cat buisnees owners of Shetland.

 

Here's a little example of prices in Shetland

 

Item A. sold in tescos for £1.49

sold in my local shop £1.90

 

at first glance the local shop is ripping you off but look closely at how each came about their price and then reconsider

 

Wholesaler pays 60p for item A charges shop £1.35 shop has a 55p mark up less than 30% hardly a rip off when you take in to account the cost of getting produce from LK to the rural area, wages, electric etc.

 

tescos buy item A at less than 60p and sell it at £1.49 a mark up of at least 89p a ball hair short of 150% so who is ripping you off.

 

fair enough it is cheaper to you today but when the competition are gone will the company with the 150% mark up not look to screw you even more, or do you think that they will bring prices down even further because they now have a bigger market share.

 

get bloody real and stop spouting turd about local buisness when quite plainly some of you are completly clueless.

[sheepshagger]

just been told that a litre of Shetland milk is £1.05 in tescos 20p dearer than my local shop, who's screwing you? both are paying the same price wholesale yet one is makin 25p and the other is making 5p five times the profit for good old tescos and you lot think you are getting a good deal. Kermit and co have some serious competition up here.

[PJ of Hildisvik]

Not everyone buys Shetland milk...£1.56 for2 ltrs of cravendale or even cheaper £1.36 for 2 ltrs of Tescos own filtered milk which lasts longer,

i still can't see Shetland milk (skimmed) in 2 ltr containers, it's always dearer buying just 1 ltr cartons.

[Fjool]

Importing milk is ridiculous when it's one of the things Shetland can easily produce for itself.

 

This would appear to be an example of how Tesco are claiming to support local producers but simultaneously shafting them rotten.