Panic buying...

[mjr]

That said they may not be selling nearly as many of the non-essential high margin extras

Well, they would say that, wouldn't they?

 

[Notafettler]

I'm less than impressed with most of the supermarkets performance (senior staff behind the scenes, those on the frontline are doing an admirable job) and can't help think that while on one hand they're busy telling the public not to panic buy, they'll also have one eye on the boost in sales and profits this is going to give them.
Maybe I'm being cynical, but also removing offers and discounts can only help their bottom line, despite announcing that's it's been done to prevent panic buying (they could have simply restricted the number of any one item bought).
My shopping has noticeably increased in cost over the last few weeks.

Do you keep a record of all your shopping purchases?
The panic buying is not expected to lead to higher profits. The opposite is expected. Hiring extra staff (45,000) the training etc and then they won't be needed. So wasted money. Also the sudden decrease in sales as people suddenly stop shopping for some items. Means that normal staffing levels will be to high for a while.
The year high for tesco share price was 260p its now 235p The stock market clearly doesn't think they are going to be rolling in it.
A quick Google nothing checked as I need to have another sausage sandwich

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/08/business/tesco-coronavirus-sales/index.html

 

[screenman]

Many people have hugely reduced incomes, that will hurt the shops.

 

[classic33]

Well, they would say that, wouldn't they?

Simple solution really, don't get your stuff picked and delivered for you. Revert to going and doing your own shopping. Don't like the result, don't use the supermarket again.

Shop with the longest queue, locally, every day is Boots, with only a third of it actually open.

 

[Notafettler]

And the new drivers and pickers will be on the scrap heap as soon as this is over, probably. This is like most "N-hundred jobs created by new store" stories: zero hour and toast once the honeymoon is over.

It's rare to get a collection slot here from any store. Delivery slots for non vulnerable are even rarer. And when you do, several basic items have sold out, or even worse, are substituted on the day. I'veb placed two orders with a nearby windmill recently because it's the only place I've found a reliable flour supply. The supermarkets are failing us.

No panic buyers are failing us. Blaming the supermarkets for people buying 100s of roll of toilet paperis just shifting the blame.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Simple solution really, don't get your stuff picked and delivered for you.

With the increased risk involved, this is why the supermarkets should get their act together, they should be key at keeping people at home & not having to go out where the virus spreading is at greater risk.

 

[Notafettler]

Many people have hugely reduced incomes, that will hurt the shops.

And in some cases a hell of a lot less costs. Alas I am probably thinking of the commuter who travels 30 plus miles a day to work. Tend to be well off.

 

[Notafettler]

With the increased risk involved, this is why the supermarkets should get their act together, they should be key at keeping people at home & not having to go out where the virus spreading is at greater risk.

As I have said they have increased deliveries dramatically but don't expect the impossible from them.

 

[classic33]

With the increased risk involved, this is why the supermarkets should get their act together, they should be key at keeping people at home & not having to go out where the virus spreading is at greater risk.

Use the smaller shops, where you'll still have to queue, and even then probably not get everything you want. That's if the panic buying is really the fault of the supermarkets.

 

[Milkfloat]

Tesco has actually started laying off some of the new staff they bought on board as their existing staff have started to return to work.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

hat's if the panic buying is really the fault of the supermarkets.

The panic buying isn't the fault of the supermarkets, the fault is now 6 weeks in they still aren't providing the service that it's customers require. They have been creaming the market for many years, Aldi & Lidl have proved this, yet now when they need to step up, they are sadly lacking, to my mind especially Tesco, although I understand Asda had a system crash on Tuesday night which left customers expecting delivery on Wednesday without it, no idea how widespread it is, but my 65yo type 1 diabetic sister, 80yo BIL with severe Parkinson's & 95yo father all living in the same self isolating house didn't get any delivery yesterday & no way to go get anything, it's dangerous for any of them to leave the house. Luckily they live in small village community who have all rallied around to provide provisions.

 

[classic33]

The panic buying isn't the fault of the supermarkets, the fault is now 6 weeks in they still aren't providing the service that it's customers require. They have been creaming the market for many years, Aldi & Lidl have proved this, yet now when they need to step up, they are sadly lacking, to my mind especially Tesco, although I understand Asda had a system crash on Tuesday night which left customers expecting delivery on Wednesday without it, no idea how widespread it is, but my 65yo type 1 diabetic sister, 80yo BIL with severe Parkinson's & 95yo father all living in the same self isolating house didn't get any delivery yesterday & no way to go get anything, it's dangerous for any of them to leave the house. Luckily they live in small village community who have all rallied around to provide provisions.

They can do so much. One house on my street gets two deliveries a day, every day. Same supermarkets, but why twice a day. Number inside the house hasn't changed, still two adults & three kids.

Suppose the supermarkets said the vulnerable/elderly get first choice of delivery slots. Would the result be similar to opening earlier for the same group, folk moaning about others getting in first(before them).

We need to realise there's limits to what others can do, and be willing to do a bit more ourselves. Shops that are still open have the two metre rule to apply to staff, shop floor and warehouse, cutting the number of staff that can be in one area.

 

[Notafettler]

One house on my street gets two deliveries a day, every day. Same supermarkets, but why twice a day. Number inside the house hasn't changed, still two adults & three kids.

2 deliveries a day? From the supermarkets?

 

[Notafettler]

The panic buying isn't the fault of the supermarkets, the fault is now 6 weeks in they still aren't providing the service that it's customers require. They have been creaming the market for many years, Aldi & Lidl have proved this, yet now when they need to step up, they are sadly lacking, to my mind especially Tesco, although I understand Asda had a system crash on Tuesday night which left customers expecting delivery on Wednesday without it, no idea how widespread it is, but my 65yo type 1 diabetic sister, 80yo BIL with severe Parkinson's & 95yo father all living in the same self isolating house didn't get any delivery yesterday & no way to go get anything, it's dangerous for any of them to leave the house. Luckily they live in small village community who have all rallied around to provide provisions.

Aldi and Lidl haven't proved anything of the sort. People see Aldi and Lidl as place go to first and then onto other supermarkets. The other supermarkets are expected to sell everything. Including food from Eastern Europe. Like Polish rapeseed oil and other eastern European food.
Although I could possibly manage on Aldi or Lidls offerings most people can't or don't want to.

 

[Notafettler]

, or even worse, are substituted on the day. I'veb placed two orders with a nearby windmill recently because it's the only place I've found a reliable flour supply. The supermarkets are failing us.

Ordered 6 pack of toilet rolls didn't have it in substituted 24 pack of better quality toilet rolls for the same price. (Quality in this case is as matter of opinion!)
If they substitute a cheaper item they reduce the price accordingly. If they substitute with a more expensive item they give it to you at the original price.
I always order one orange there is a 50 50 chance of getting a 5 pack substitute at the same price as one.