Village shop totally devastated

[Rhythm Thief]

I prefer using local small shops whenever and wherever I can. One of the reasons for this is that the massive out of town sheds are such utterly depressing places. They always make me want to eat my own soul, whereas the local shops are full of happy people having a natter with the shopkeepers.
And supermarkets aren't really that much cheaper, if any. We used to use our local Sainsbury for herbs and spices, until I discovered that the independent organic deli across the road sells them for quite a bit less. Same with bread flour. Veg may be more expensive per unit in the local grocers, but if he's got stuff at the end of its useful life he gives it to me for free. And if I go in the butchers, I come out with what I went in to buy, not with a trolleyfull of stuff I didn't know I needed.

 

[Arch]

I prefer using local small shops whenever and wherever I can. One of the reasons for this is that the massive out of town sheds are such utterly depressing places. They always make me want to eat my own soul, whereas the local shops are full of happy people having a natter with the shopkeepers.
And supermarkets aren't really that much cheaper, if any. We used to use our local Sainsbury for herbs and spices, until I discovered that the independent organic deli across the road sells them for quite a bit less. Same with bread flour. Veg may be more expensive per unit in the local grocers, but if he's got stuff at the end of its useful life he gives it to me for free. And if I go in the butchers, I come out with what I went in to buy, not with a trolleyfull of stuff I didn't know I needed.

Very good. Although when I got to Sainsburys, I never come out with a trolleyfull of stuff I don't need. I shop to my list, and the only additions are reduced to clear bargains I can freeze...

Of course living in town, the supermarket IS my local shop. To shop at independents I'd have to make a longer trip, and spend more...

Taxing, I don't know why either, but I think sparkly ham could be this season's big seller! I'd buy it. Or perhaps, on my budget, some glittered spam.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Of course living in town, the supermarket IS my local shop.

That's why I prefer using independents, even if it sometimes costs me a bit more. We've got lots of small shops in Ross and I'd hate to see the place become yet another supermarket surrounded by boarded up shops and shops selling teddy bears and other useless tat.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Our local Co-op closed down a couple of months ago. Last night I had a dream that it had re-opened and was better than ever, and I'm sure it's down to reading this post. One of the things it sold in my dream was sparkly ham displayed in big pyramids. Why sparkly, and why ham? I'm a vegetarian!

I'm so sorry for you. It must be a terrible handicap.

 

[addictfreak]

Waded through the fluffy stuff to our village shop today. Complete waste of time as there were no newspapers, no fruit and veg, no milk, no eggs, no point. Apparently the staff were rationing bread this morning.

Why do people have to be silly and bulk buy because of a bit of snow?

Oh well, I'll just check to see how my dough is rising.

Because the irresponsible press start reporting that food is running out, hence the panic buying by the idiots.

 

[darkstar]

That's why I prefer using independents, even if it sometimes costs me a bit more. We've got lots of small shops in Ross and I'd hate to see the place become yet another supermarket surrounded by boarded up shops and shops selling teddy bears and other useless tat.

Difficult to do if you're a student, of course.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Because the irresponsible press start reporting that food is running out, hence the panic buying by the idiots.

Yes indeed. The national telly news has just reported that garages are running low on fuel. Crackpots!

 

[darkstar]

Yes indeed. The national telly news has just reported that garages are running low on fuel. Crackpots!

Media are controlled by the government, and selling shed loads of fuel can only be a good thing in terms of tax intake for them. Is that the reason?

 

[Arch]

Media are controlled by the government, and selling shed loads of fuel can only be a good thing in terms of tax intake for them. Is that the reason?

Um, no...

Even if the media were controlled...

Unless people stockpile fuel in vast quantities in jerry cans, and then pour it away unused, 'they' aren't going to sell any more than normal, they'll just sell it in surges as people panic and fill up their cars. Then they won't need to fill up later. Total fuel sales are the same.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Difficult to do if you're a student, of course.

Why?

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Um, no...

Quite, can't see our lot telling Rupert what to do.

 

[darkstar]

Um, no...

Even if the media were controlled...

Unless people stockpile fuel in vast quantities in jerry cans, and then pour it away unused, 'they' aren't going to sell any more than normal, they'll just sell it in surges as people panic and fill up their cars. Then they won't need to fill up later. Total fuel sales are the same.

The mainstream media are controlled to an extent, there's no getting away from that.

It was only a question, literally no consideration was put into it.

 

[darkstar]

Why?

A student loan doesn't go very far, especially when people are considering the debt they'll leave university with. Independent stores are considerably more expensive than supermarkets, which doesn't make them a viable choice for the average student.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Total fuel sales are the same.

How about if they had a minimum speed? Everyone has to drive at least 70mph everywhere. More fuel is used at higher speeds and therefore revenue and tax are increased. It's a win win.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

A student loan doesn't go very far, especially when people are considering the debt they'll leave university with. Independent stores are considerably more expensive than supermarkets, which doesn't make them a viable choice for the average student.

I don't think that's especially true. Sure, you have a greater range of cheap stuff in the supermarkets, but a lot of it is crap quality. If you buy quality meat, say, there's very little difference in the price between the local independent butcher (if you're lucky enough to still have one) and the supermarket. And you students aren't the only ones with little disposable income ... by the time I've paid the mortgage and the bills I'm left with about a hundred quid a month.
I think it's a myth that the supermarkets are havens of low prices. (And, even if it's true, all it actually menas is that someone else is paying the true cost of your food. As detailed here. Supermarkets are able to offer supposedly low prices because they continually squeeze their suppliers. This in turn means that a farmer supplying the supermarkets has to employ a transient (and possibly illegal) workforce and pay them less than the minimum wage, just in order to make money. Ultimately, you end up with a whole sub-society living a scavenging existence on rubbish dumps in Spain in order to provide you with leafy salads at unrealistic prices in the middle of winter. Or two Polish families living in a caravan in a field in Herefordshire to allow people to buy strawberries.) Have a look here, here and here for more. The trick the supermarkets use to fool you into thinking that they represent good value is to keep a few things - sugar, butter, milk - at low prices, then make back the losses thus incurred by charging more for other items.