Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Social Retail

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  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Ahem. That's a classic case of needing to refresh before posting.

    And that's a classic thing to do after using the loo paper ;)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Tony Parker,

    I have my own version of this Slightly Awkward Encounter that involves one of the few independently owned music stores left in Hawkes Bay. Used to live close and he knows what I like and would ensure I could get it. Even forgave him his Jason Mraz/Train fixation! Have moved into Napier, store is in Taradale, and don't get there as often and do find myself shopping at the CD Store, which it must be said has 2 knowledgable staff and a reasonable range of stuff. Also end up at the red shed sometimes for some of their bargains. Anyhow it's not that he comes across me in these other stores it's just I feel I'm betraying him in some way especially as he is struggling a little although he has no family to support. Unfortunately he also seems to be at the bottom of the food chain when it comes to the record companies/suppliers and doesn't get the things I want as quickly as other places if at all. It's all a bit of a conundrum really.

    Napier • Since Nov 2008 • 232 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    You've reminded me to patronise my local grocer - similar prices to the chain store grocery* but with this store you know exactly who grew what, that it's fresh and local, and that most of the time it tastes better too. Choku Bai Jo, in North Lyneham, if you happen to be round here. I'm a member of an organic co-op store, but never shop there as everything is freakishly expensive apart from tea.

    I like to think that I'm price sensitive, but willing to pay a little more to get a better experience.

    Anyone have an opinion on cleanskins? They're very common in Australia (as their export industry is much larger than ours), and I know that what they're selling for is pretty much their production cost. Once you take out the retail margin, they're a loss for the winemaker. I try and take a middle path by buying cleanskins direct from the unnamed winemakers at the local farmers market...

    *apart from their loss leaders, but I'll take those by themselves thank you very much.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • James Green,

    So, ha ha. I was describing this very blog post in the supermarket tonight (produce section), and happened at that very moment to see my go-to wine guy buying mushrooms.

    Limerick, Ireland • Since Nov 2006 • 703 posts Report Reply

  • mark taslov,

    I'm not really looking to pursue the point, but Sacha corrrectly deduced my meaning.

    your point was you hid because your human? or you hid because you're not a market actor? I'm not angling for an indepth sociologocial/ psychological inquiry here, but a little depth never goes amiss.

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

  • nz native,

    There’s several things I dislike about supermarkets before I even get to their booze aisle’s.

    One thing is that I find distasteful is the vast majority of their staff are causal’s, even the ones doing 30-40hr weeks for months or even years. I presume it helps the supermarket profits in some ways but I think businesses should offer real jobs if they require workers to do full time hours , especially for the not so skilled in our community.

    Another thing I dislike is that their big margins or mark-ups on items are on what should be the basis of a healthy diet. Fruit and veg, the bakery, the butchery and dairy products are all heavily marked up. The crap food such as nestle type products, coca-cola and other sugar drinks, bikkies, sugar cereals and of course the booze are sold for much smaller and tighter margins. People are being encouraged through price to eat rubbish…..

    I would not be surprised if supermarkets pricing is specifically predatory towards small green-grocers, butchers and bottle shops but generally these small owner operator type business’s go to the wall when the supermarkets set up in their area. This in turn is bad news for small market gardeners, growers and other small scale suppliers.


    But back to the wine, I personally don’t think booze should be sold in the supermarkets. I say this on behalf of all the alcoholics I know and I think they should be able to shop for food without the temptation of their drug of ruin being marketed/pushed at them.

    Sure most of us have no problem with alcohol but it is pushed like no other drug and I think if you want to have it you should go to a bottle/drug shop.

    Don’t be ramming it at the addicts all the time ………………..

    Since May 2007 • 60 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Just like pharmacists are the appropriate distributers of diastop.

    A little bit too much information there Steven :)
    Could I suggest that an environment like teh supermarket could subconsciously have the effect of introducing food to be consumed with the alcohol which can be good for the binge drinker and may help to change the way alcohol is perceived.Or not.....

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • David Hamilton,

    if there is one thing PA System is crying out for, it's reader recipes. Go to it, I say.

    Hear hear.

    On my way round the south island earlier this year I was introduced to many great NZ craft beers, so for a recent party I wanted to get some of them to share with my friends. Hillcrest Fine Wines delivered. We had Emersons (bookbinder is basically my favourite beer), Renaissance, Dux, Tuatara, Moa, Epic and probably a few others, my memory is hazy. Founders (try the long black) had to be sourced from somewhere else but otherwise the selection is great.

    The owner was in a lather about DB suing Green Man over the use of the word "Radler", which they inexplicably have the trademark for in NZ. That and the practice of forcing bars into exclusive supply deals just makes me more determined to enjoy superior beer from the little guys.

    Hamiltron • Since Nov 2006 • 111 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    One thing is that I find distasteful is the vast majority of their staff are causal’s, even the ones doing 30-40hr weeks for months or even years.

    [citation needed]

    Another thing I dislike is that their big margins or mark-ups on items are on what should be the basis of a healthy diet. Fruit and veg, the bakery, the butchery and dairy products are all heavily marked up

    I can totally disprove that by saying...

    I would not be surprised if supermarkets pricing is specifically predatory towards small green-grocers, butchers and bottle shops but generally these small owner operator type business’s go to the wall when the supermarkets set up in their area. This in turn is bad news for small market gardeners, growers and other small scale suppliers.

    See?

    meaning the supervisor has to be called to wave there thing over the bare code reader.

    And if anybody else does that in a supermarket they would be severely reprimanded.

    I've been to my bearings, belts, chains and sprockets shop today.

    Ah., a cyclist. Did you know the German for cyclist was "Radler"? kinde weird that DB can "Turdemark" that word

    The owner was in a lather about DB suing Green Man over the use of the word "Radler", which they inexplicably have the trademark for in NZ.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    Amy - a drop scone, from my brief research, seems to be a pikelet.
    Pikelets are either bland or slightly sweet - they are never (in my experience, coming from a long line of Scots girdle* users) cheesy...

    *also called in good Scots a griddle - I have a girdle iron/griddle, used by my greatgrandmother (from Mainland, Orkney.)

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    What the hell, why not sell in at the supermarket (just as long as the supervise waves there thing in front of the beeper of corse:)

    Or beeper of corpse. Prohibition has never worked Steven, didn't you know that? I am surprised.
    "Let them eat cake".....

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • chris esther,

    (drinking a glass of nipple hill pinot from the wine vault as i type)

    I find the Wine Vault a hit or miss affair.
    Though it's good have a shop like it 10 minutes walk away.
    (Dairy pricing)

    Requiring more planning is a trip to Fine Wine on Cook St.
    Ask for Chris the man is passionate, knowledgeable and bs free.
    (Super market pricing, wider selection, range of wines perm on tasting)

    Since Apr 2008 • 13 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Don't worry, I get your drift.:) Europe tends to have alcohol all over the place and the early introduction seems to give youth a better understanding so a better understanding of other substances could surely be a good thing. I know I would love to see marijuana decriminalized at least. I am a firm supporter of maintenance programmes for othr drug use but I not so sure 'bout the meth, just because I don't like "go fast" and I suspect brains don't either. as to where? I dunno.Media 7 just stated so later dude.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Animé,

    Mmmmm, mixing thinking with drinking.

    What I find salient in the local context, is that the Wine Vault is bit of a hike from the Chevalier, and in my mind, only compounds the AkCityCouncil's estimate of over 90% retail flight from a community of comparitive affluence to neighbouring suburbs.

    Mount Albert • Since May 2009 • 1 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    This is why we need socialism - to send surplus feijoas to places where there is real need. Feijoas are still $6.99 kg in the supermarket here

    Hilary: I am coming down to Wellington for my son's graduation from VUW on Tuesday May 19 and I would be happy to bring you a bag of feijoas. Just bung me an email.

    As a sign of the times, neighbourhood kids have been selling 10kg bags of feijoas for $5 to passing after-school traffic on Grey Street week

    Thanks for recipes to date. We substitute feijoas in Judy Bailey's Spicey Apple Cake, from The New Zealand Celebrity Cookbook (198?)

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Mrs Skin,

    Hilary you must must must go to the Sunday market - either Waitangi or Victoria. Feijoas less than $3/kilo (I think actually less than $2 but can't be sure because that was, like, 4 days ago). Good quality too, not just the ones from the bottom of the box.

    the warmest room in the h… • Since Feb 2009 • 168 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    Amy - a drop scone, from my brief research, seems to be a pikelet.

    While we're on this subject (well, sort of: obscure baked goods, anyway): why did the Edmonds Cookbook get rid of the ginger gems recipe? Is it that no one has gem irons any more? I know there's Google for my recipe needs, but I feel something has been lost...

    Seconding or thirding the 'cheese rolls rock' sentiment.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Andre,

    "I once had Murray Crane measure me for a suit. It was a horrible experience."

    Poor old Murray… much maligned I’m sure, Rickai. He used to hang out with us at Limbos in ChCh in 1990 (he dated the pretty young girl who worked at the pharmacy on Cashel St) and then shifted up to work selling ads at Bfm. I bought my first suit off him when he was at Zambesi Men. He was the most dapper guy out in either city and not much has changed. He can be fantastically nice to you or extremely condescending, depending on the conditions. Maybe that’s just when he’s around me though…

    "Conveniently, they have a branch in the semi-industrial no-man's-land between Porirua and Tawa. Not quite as extensive as the main shop in town, but quite a bit closer to Waikanae. I was in there this morning. But the Fresh in town is heaps better, especially since they remodelled."

    Hey Mark. I went to the Porirua Moore Wilsons a lot when I lived in Paremata but it’s just not the same destination shopping experience as the one in town. It’s ok – but just average in comparison.

    For all of you feijoa fans, how about the decision by producers to dump 3.6 miliion kilo of kiwifruit in May & June: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10565992
    Go see your local grower today...

    New Zealand • Since May 2009 • 371 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    Danielle- I have a gem iron. In all my large family group. it is the only gem iron. None of my neighbours have gem irons..and I havent used it for nearly a year. Gems are good: my Nanna used to make 'em and pop a syruped apricot inside (other fillings were gooseberry or black currant jam.) Gem recipe available upon request.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • James Green,

    Hilary -- surprised you can't get feijoas to grow in wellington. I have two trees down here, and they produce pretty prodigiously <whisper>although about 6 weeks later than every else</whisper>

    And I have a suspicion that DB's lawsuit against GreenMan (I mean I'm not suing them), might be a bit of any publicity is good publicity. We were laughing in the supermarket the other day over the large white sticker proclaiming "cyclist" the other day.

    Actually, the other day we were watching Parliament TV (hadn't tried it before), and they were discussing the new Patent Bill. Suspect that if its provisions also go as far as copyright, then DB would have no such claim over a name like Radler in future. Actually, seems the Patents Bill is just for patents.

    Limerick, Ireland • Since Nov 2006 • 703 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace,

    Thanks so much for feijoa tips.

    Re gem irons. Ruth Pretty- shop or mail order -sells gem irons with recipe. I can provide gg recipe via PA if required.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    Hilary- Aunt Daisy's gem recipe:

    "2 cups of flour, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup pf sugar, I oz. butter, 1 cup of milk, 3 tspns. baking powder. Beat eggs and sugar very well, melt ounce of butter and add. Then add milk and other ingredients. Have gem irons very hot, and grease with butter or lard. Cook in very hot oven. Makes 24 gems.zz'

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    Ooops! zz an optional nothing-

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

  • Mahal,

    I attempt to shop at the local butcher (Seaview Meats, Milford - appalling website, but AMAZING sausages and wonderful staff) and greengrocers (run by a family whose ethnic origin I can't identify by their language or appearance, but there's a teenage girl running the till after school 90% of the time, and a couple of under-5's pottering about the place). My budget doesn't quite stretch to doing this all the time, but then again that's why Pak'n'Save was invented.

    I would love to expand my wine horizons beyond "The boss gave us a bottle of that for Christmas and it was nice" or "Hey, we had that at so-and-so's house". However, I am too chicken to actually speak to people in wine shops, and wine language appears incomprehensible to the untrained eye...

    Also, I have an excellent feijoa jam recipe. It disappeared via my coworkers quite rapidly last time I made it. Not quite as fast as the banana nut jam, but fairly quickly nonetheless...

    Auckland • Since Apr 2007 • 31 posts Report Reply

  • Islander,

    O, and important, "half-fill' each gem iron with mixture."

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report Reply

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