Shopwise and Shop Wise

planenut · 4th November 2023, 13:06

I'm an old fffffffffogey who is thrifty, call it what you will. I generally shop at Tesco which has a large store, conveniently only a mile away. Lidl's opened a store near me, less than a quarter of a mile, and in several cases, they do compare.

The Tesco has for five weeks been moving their stock around, according to their staff, temporarily, but this leads to many Customers getting frustrated, after unsuccessfully finding their item, having to ask staff, who have trouble directing people, as there are no aisle numbers displayed. "It's only temporary". I know I am not the only customer now frequenting Lidl more often.

Lidl today, I have noticed that all, ALL of their packaged products, i.e. sliced ham and other meats, except one that I saw, are cut smaller, therefore less weight. Habitual shoppers who favour one particular type, will just pick it up. This is a rip-off.

wraymond · 4th November 2023, 21:11

My sympathies, its common practice! Nothing happens in supermarkets by accident. Many years ago I was a district manager for a relatively small supermarket firm which was aggressively taken over by Tesco. My first meeting with Jack Cohen was an eye opener. He and his two sons held a ‘welcome’ management meeting with senior staff. It was not pleasant. But, eventually, I developed a reluctant admiration for the sheer hutzpah.

Shifting shelf point was a well known strategy of squeezing another shilling or two to interrupt habitual robotic trolley meandering. It means customers can be drawn into impulsive and unintended pickups. I had to admire the principle, if not the result!

Gelen · 8th January 2024, 22:12

As a thrifty shopper, it's frustrating when stores seemingly inconvenience customers. Moving stock around and the lack of proper aisle signage at Tesco can be bothersome. It's understandable that you're exploring alternatives like Lidl. However, it's disappointing to hear that Lidl may be offering smaller portions of packaged products, which can feel like a rip-off. It reminds me why I decided to cancel kohls credit card. I often visited that store, but I found their repetitive music to be annoying. Also, every store was like a sauna. I hope they have changed.

roverbarmy · 9th January 2024, 08:05

Like pubs and bars that play the music too loud, so that you have to shout, making your throat dry, so that you drink more! Marketing strategies! £2.99 sounds a lot less than £3.00. "Do you need help with your packing?" "No!"

planenut · 9th January 2024, 08:36

Quote:

Lidl today, I have noticed that all, ALL of their packaged products, i.e. sliced ham and other meats, except one that I saw, are cut smaller, therefore less weight. Habitual shoppers who favour one particular type, will just pick it up.

I now realize that Tesco too, cut all their cooked meats smaller, I am watching the size of bread loaves.

FLYING BANANA · 9th January 2024, 11:02

Having been a supermarket assistant manager a number of years ago it is all a sales ploy.
Do you remember when supermarkets had huge posters on the windows advertising cut prices, that entices the customer in. And once you find the items that are advertised on the windows your shopping just snowballs from there.

We used to move the stock around on a 6 week basis, just when the customer got used to where everything was it was now moved. Just by moving from the top shelf to the bottom was enough.

As for packs getting smaller, well that’s been going on for years. A good example is look at the size of a Mars bar or a Wagon Wheel. The manufacturers are always looking to cut down sizes to make you spend more. The bosses get richer and the customer gets poorer. Been going on for years.

Once upon it paid to shop around for the best prices, but not so much now.
I used bake my own bread but was eating it too quick thus I was baking more. Who won? Not me.

Here in Saltash a lady turned her bread baking hobby into a business, doing really well by baking three times a week. Then Covid hit and prices went through the roof. Now she only bakes once a fortnight, she still has loyal following and sells out every time.I’ve bought from her and the bread really tastes as bread should be. Not like the mass produced bread made by big time bakers.

Where it will end, goodness knows.

daveo138 · 9th January 2024, 16:50

I noticed recently that several supermarkets had reduced the size of their bags of potatoes from 2.5Kg to 2Kg.

A reduction in size of 20%, or a 25% price increase.

KWIL · 9th January 2024, 17:01

How about legislation which requires "standard" sizes/weights for essential purchases?

4th November 2023, 13:06	#1
planenut Regional Secretary Rover 1.8T Tourer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Heathrow Posts: 6,955 Thanks: 1,551 Thanked 2,036 Times in 1,264 Posts	Shopwise and Shop Wise I'm an old fffffffffogey who is thrifty, call it what you will. I generally shop at Tesco which has a large store, conveniently only a mile away. Lidl's opened a store near me, less than a quarter of a mile, and in several cases, they do compare. The Tesco has for five weeks been moving their stock around, according to their staff, temporarily, but this leads to many Customers getting frustrated, after unsuccessfully finding their item, having to ask staff, who have trouble directing people, as there are no aisle numbers displayed. "It's only temporary". I know I am not the only customer now frequenting Lidl more often. Lidl today, I have noticed that all, ALL of their packaged products, i.e. sliced ham and other meats, except one that I saw, are cut smaller, therefore less weight. Habitual shoppers who favour one particular type, will just pick it up. This is a rip-off.

4th November 2023, 21:11	#2
wraymond This is my second home 75 Auto 2.5 SE Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Westcliff on Sea Posts: 5,195 Thanks: 423 Thanked 1,680 Times in 1,014 Posts	My sympathies, its common practice! Nothing happens in supermarkets by accident. Many years ago I was a district manager for a relatively small supermarket firm which was aggressively taken over by Tesco. My first meeting with Jack Cohen was an eye opener. He and his two sons held a ‘welcome’ management meeting with senior staff. It was not pleasant. But, eventually, I developed a reluctant admiration for the sheer hutzpah. Shifting shelf point was a well known strategy of squeezing another shilling or two to interrupt habitual robotic trolley meandering. It means customers can be drawn into impulsive and unintended pickups. I had to admire the principle, if not the result! __________________ member no. 235

8th January 2024, 22:12	#3
Gelen Newbie Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: London Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	As a thrifty shopper, it's frustrating when stores seemingly inconvenience customers. Moving stock around and the lack of proper aisle signage at Tesco can be bothersome. It's understandable that you're exploring alternatives like Lidl. However, it's disappointing to hear that Lidl may be offering smaller portions of packaged products, which can feel like a rip-off. It reminds me why I decided to cancel kohls credit card. I often visited that store, but I found their repetitive music to be annoying. Also, every store was like a sauna. I hope they have changed. Last edited by Gelen; 17th January 2024 at 15:18..

9th January 2024, 08:05	#4
roverbarmy This is my second home Roverless + 1.7D Sportage Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: East Norfolk Posts: 7,050 Thanks: 729 Thanked 2,021 Times in 1,449 Posts	Like pubs and bars that play the music too loud, so that you have to shout, making your throat dry, so that you drink more! Marketing strategies! £2.99 sounds a lot less than £3.00. "Do you need help with your packing?" "No!" __________________ Oil in my veins!

9th January 2024, 11:02	#6
FLYING BANANA Moderator/Club Shop MG ZT 1.8t+. No.3 of 4 in Sunspot Yellow & Ford Fiesta in Black. Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Rattler Farm Posts: 22,568 Thanks: 9,270 Thanked 15,645 Times in 6,806 Posts	Having been a supermarket assistant manager a number of years ago it is all a sales ploy. Do you remember when supermarkets had huge posters on the windows advertising cut prices, that entices the customer in. And once you find the items that are advertised on the windows your shopping just snowballs from there. We used to move the stock around on a 6 week basis, just when the customer got used to where everything was it was now moved. Just by moving from the top shelf to the bottom was enough. As for packs getting smaller, well that’s been going on for years. A good example is look at the size of a Mars bar or a Wagon Wheel. The manufacturers are always looking to cut down sizes to make you spend more. The bosses get richer and the customer gets poorer. Been going on for years. Once upon it paid to shop around for the best prices, but not so much now. I used bake my own bread but was eating it too quick thus I was baking more. Who won? Not me. Here in Saltash a lady turned her bread baking hobby into a business, doing really well by baking three times a week. Then Covid hit and prices went through the roof. Now she only bakes once a fortnight, she still has loyal following and sells out every time.I’ve bought from her and the bread really tastes as bread should be. Not like the mass produced bread made by big time bakers. Where it will end, goodness knows. __________________ 233,431. That’s our second meet done, no.3 next weekend. onen hag oll Last edited by FLYING BANANA; 9th January 2024 at 11:03.. Reason: Missing words located

9th January 2024, 16:50	#7
daveo138 Gets stuck in Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Chesterfield Posts: 678 Thanks: 206 Thanked 69 Times in 53 Posts	I noticed recently that several supermarkets had reduced the size of their bags of potatoes from 2.5Kg to 2Kg. A reduction in size of 20%, or a 25% price increase.

9th January 2024, 17:01	#8
KWIL Precise Rover 75 Tourer 2.5KV6 Connoisseur SE Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Fleet Posts: 2,954 Thanks: 630 Thanked 617 Times in 480 Posts	How about legislation which requires "standard" sizes/weights for essential purchases?