Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Social Retail

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  • Rich of Observationz,

    I don't think restrictive practices and deliberately inconveniencing people are the way to reduce alcohol abuse. True pissheads will always find a way to get booze, whether it's stockpiling, homebrew, or informal trading. The state fails hugely at suppressing weed, after all.

    What should be banned is the practice of supermarkets refusing to supply trade. If they want to sell $6.99 bottles of chardonnay or 20c cans of beans, a grocery store owner should be allowed to walk into the store and buy cases of the stuff. Not supplying trade is a restrictive practice (UK supermarkets happily supply trade for the most part and will even do special orders and so forth).

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    Why feel the shame? It's not so much the sustenance from his daughter's mouth you would have been brandishing as that of one of his soon to be former employee's. Essentially you'd be giving him a fairer indication of what really goes on and better competitive grasp of market realities, which I guess you are doing writing about this here...

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • Helen Searancke,

    Ah, the supermarket guilt. Know it well. Everytime I buy the family sausages at New World, I feel the loss for the West Lynn Organic Butchers (across the road from the excellent Wine Vault) and remind myself that I'll get there next time.

    Righto, make that this weekend. I'd hate to see those local stalwart businesses disappear - they're some of the best things about living where I do and put the capital C in 'My Community'.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 24 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    In agreement with Rich, people here have pretty much unrestricted access to $2 57% spirits without turning into a nation of pissheads. Capitalism is too restricted in New Zealand wherever you look, and the alcohol issues in New Zealand are nothing to do with price or availability and solely the result of socialization.

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • paul mckessar,

    Ah, the ever-helpful "Rob's Recommendations" of "cheap quaffers" from the Wine Vault. I know them well. Those worthy men are drinkers' friends.

    aukolofa • Since Jul 2007 • 8 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    Question is, is there a connection between the penchant for supermarket guilt and chronic binge drinking?

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    The state fails hugely at suppressing weed, after all.

    You'll find there's no real intention to suppress weed. it's set up as the borderline/no man's land between legal and illegal drug use. Hence possession largely usually just being punished with confiscation.

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • Jean Hughes,

    well - I support an online Wine company - Advintage - as a good provider of some good deals on wine that is not usually available in the supermarket. Also living in Mangere - well the local liquor stores are just that, liquor stores and drinkable wine isn't really an option, so Foodtown it is for the quaffing stuff. The nearest local would be Don Johnson's place in Royal Oak, and again a good retailer making lots of effort. Wine shops are the same as private bookshops, meat shops, delis, they provide the choice and range not usually available in the chain shops.
    Long may they prosper and long may I be financially able to contribute to this.

    Mangere • Since Nov 2006 • 89 posts Report Reply

  • Donald Reid,

    There's something a little bit cosy and comforting about this whole global recession hoopla. A feeling that we're all in this together and if somebody looked like they're sinking we'll try and all pull them up together. (I'm sure there's an army of naysayers and number crunchers who can calculate the exact amont of rose-tinted bollocks that sentence contains. But, hey, it's looking on the bright side, even just the perceived bright side).
    Buying less stuff, but trying to by better quality stuff from local indie shops provides a dual feelgood factor 1) it's more of a treat, 2) you're doing your bit to help the store owners pay their bills. Of course here is Dunedin you're hard pressed to find many independent stores now. Jonathan's Cameras is gone; we're still bitter about the whole Echo-Real Groovy-zilch record shop situation and besides Plume, chain clothing stores dominate the main street.
    There are a couple of great wine shops though, and I'm trying to not buy any grog from the supermarkets now in favour of these guys. When I'm in town i go to 26 Moray (at 26 Moray Place - go figure) and in the weekends, when I'm in my home 'burb of Mornington I'll go to Darren at Castle McAdam wines in Mailer Street (lots of beers too). I love both these shops, those places where shopping is a pleasure not a chore.

    Dunedin, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    Website looks good, and the store a very interesting one. It's amazing what you can get by simply saying to someone who's life is in wine "I liked xxx and kinda want something that is not like butter but has like weight and stuff". Hard to do on the web and I wonder if tasting notes need to split into "Know what you're doing" and "Know what you like - kinda".

    We've taken to a case-purchase from Blackmarket or Fine Wine or funy-little-contacts for the nightly swill, a pop to La Vino at the end of the road for something a little more interesting (Glengarry's Ponse Rd is also very good), and the annual trip to the family hut in Central for a more serious top up. I shouldn't think Wine Vault guy necessarily expects all your purchases to be through him.

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Essentially you'd be giving him a fairer indication of what really goes on and better competitive grasp of market realities, which I guess you are doing writing about this here...

    I think he'd be fully appraised of market realities in his own line of business, Mark.

    In the case of supermarkets, especially the ones in Grey Lynn, it's about fortnightly "wine sales" where they sell wine at a loss (even after screwing down the suppliers) in order to pull in customers for their other products, which are not so cheap.

    It's absurd to talk about independent wine retailers competing on that basis. They need to do what Jayson does, and work on their strengths.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I shouldn't think Wine Vault guy necessarily expects all your purchases to be through him.

    Oh, of course not. It was just a funny situation.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    BTW, I forgot to give ups to Shalimar in Wellington, who have the worlds untidyest fridge but are open when other stores are shut!

    Of course, the government wants to shut them down..

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    My big problem with supermarket wines is that when I buy the 'same' thing in the same bottle with the same label in Safeway in California as I do here in Fresh Choice Dunedin I get something different - I understand that the Aussies have a wine glut and that they're probably blending tastes for particular local consumptions - but the least they could do would be to change the labels ....

    I also miss '2 buck chuck' not because of it's 'wonderful taste' but because it makes wonderful cheap summer sangria

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    work on their strengths.

    fair enough.

    I think he'd be fully appraised of market realities in his own line of business, Mark

    so why hide?

    Te Ika-a-Māui • Since Mar 2008 • 2281 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Because they're humans, Mark, not just market actors. People get embarrassed irrationally. Sheesh.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sam F,

    On a completely different tack in the world of small business, I'd like to mourn the passing of India Village restaurant in Morningside. They've always been fairly quiet, as being over the hill from Kingsland cuts out much of the cafe/rugby crowds, but made up for it with fantastic food at good prices and wonderful service into the bargain.

    They're due to close their doors sometime this week, and will focus on a foodcourt store on K Road before hopefully reopening another restaurant somewhere in Central Auckland later in the year. Won't be the same as the charming local store though, and now I get a twinge of regret for not going more often. They'll be back with luck.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report Reply

  • Carol Stewart,

    Not wanting to gloat, but in Welliington the excellent Moore Wilsons has a wondrous range of good things (yes, even cat food) at supermarket prices. And it's owned and operated by a local family. And they support local producers such as those from up the Kapiti Coast and the Wairarapa.

    Wellington • Since Jul 2008 • 830 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Because they're humans, Mark, not just market actors. People get embarrassed irrationally. Sheesh.

    Yes. The situation amused me, and I went home and wrote a blog post on the strength of it.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Sometimes a cigar...

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    India Village restaurant in Morningside

    Is that the one in the small block of shops on the corner of Morningside and New North roads?

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Not wanting to gloat, but in Welliington the excellent Moore Wilsons has a wondrous range of good things (yes, even cat food) at supermarket prices. And it's owned and operated by a local family. And they support local producers such as those from up the Kapiti Coast and the Wairarapa

    I'm an Aucklander with a Moore Wilson wholesale card, and I'd dearly love that company to open a branch here. The fact that they have that Kapiti Coast and Wairarapa produce is a real strength, I think. And so many bakeries! There's nowhere in Auckland you have that choice. Nosh in Ponsonby is okay, but it's not the same.

    OTOH, I can get meat and smallgoods cheaper (and generally better) at the Westmere butcher or Taste of Europe in Lincoln Rd, and fresher and cheaper veges at the La Cigale market (single supplier, very short supply chain). It's just not terribly efficient ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Stephen Judd,

    Small independents of Wellington that I rate for the quality of their repartee as well as their product:
    - Rumbles (wine)
    - Wine Seeker (wine)
    - Mandatory (clothes)
    - Duncan & Prudence (clothes)
    - Unity (books)
    - Willis St Lunch Cafe, home of the Cheese Puff.

    Sadly, it is only the last two I can afford to patronise on a regular basis.

    Apropos local food, the Waitangi Park market on a Sunday has ever more stalls from small producers of smallgoods, baked goods, preserves, and what-have-you. It's nice to get stuff directly from the producer.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report Reply

  • Sam F,

    Is that the one in the small block of shops on the corner of Morningside and New North roads?

    Yup. Used to be the Flying Rani - also known to fans of Leigh Hart's Moon TV as the set for "Naan Doctors".

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1611 posts Report Reply

  • Angus Robertson,

    Mazaruns is my first port of call for quality port. There are very decent wineries in West Auckland and Te Kauwhata. Why go to a supermarket or wine shop?

    Auckland • Since May 2007 • 984 posts Report Reply

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