Published: Wednesday, 18th November, 2009 2:37pm
We have missed Woolies!
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Locals have bemoaned the loss of the long running and popular Woolworths store in Largs but welcome the arrival of Tesco to fill empty space.
Belinda Eyland said: "It is not good news for Morrisons but it is good news for the public. The likes of schoolchildren at lunchtime would probably be more tempted to go to Tesco because it is in the town centre as it is probably safer than having to cross the busy Main Road. We have all missed Woolworths, particularly my son Daniel, who missed the toys in there. It was interesting to see that WH Smith in Largs offered a pick 'n' mix after Woolies closed. It would be good if Tesco's open a toys section. Woolies was also good for general household stuff and gardening and it was just a nice place to wonder about."
Teenagers Lauren Malloch and Laura Brown gave the thumbs down to a new supermarket coming to the town and said they would have preferred if Woolworths came back, or an alternative.
Lauren said: "I really miss Woolies. It used to have everything in it including DVDs and games. It was good to go there and pass the time. It hasn't been the same since it has gone"
Laura added: "I am not interested in another supermarket coming to Largs. We already have Morrison's and Asda in Ardrossan. It would have been good to get a B & M or something like that."
William McHaffie from Johnstone said: "I love Largs and have been coming here since I was a young lad. I have great memories of the Viking Cinema and Nardini's. Largs is a beautiful town. I think it is a great shame that you lost Woolworths. I don't think Tesco is a good alternative. Woolworths had a special aura about it - everybody liked to go there. Not everyone likes Tesco's, it is just another supermarket."
Have your say. .
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jakeyrollin
Unregistered User
Nov 18 09 15:34
Comment: 6310
Woolies has been missed alright and I hope Tesco has a real go at a price war with Morrisons who have just had it all there own way for too long. That said, I thought our petrol station, who should have a Jolly Roger flying and not an Esso sign would have had real competition when Tesco opened in Kilbi
ie but that was a bit of a damp squib. They can't even make up their minds if their station is 24hrs or not let alone compete with locals on fuel price. One good I thing I will say about Morrisons in Largs with regards Woolworth closing is that they employed that wee wummin' who had years of service to Woolworth and the town. I liked that.
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TE Stockwell
Unregistered User
Nov 18 09 16:19
Comment: 6312
Wait till Tesco opens. This town is going to be even more of an alcoholics Disneyland.
Fifteen pubs, thirty full licences and a dozen or so retail outlets for the provision of booze to some 13,000 people - 25% of said in the latter throes of life and probably teetotal(ish).
Personally, I'm all for it but then again, I'm not a potentially (or otherwise) howling-at-the moon jake-monster who lives solely to binge. There is most certainly a link between price and consumption - only old deluded alcoholics (see above) will argue otherwise.
Given that Tesco doesn't know what "lose" means and therefore contrary to, and flying in the face of, Yazz and the Plastic Population... "the only way is [most certainly NOT going to be] up." Read on..
Compared to Greenock, Paisley, Glasgow etc, Largs is exceptionally expensive for most things across the board. "Deals" are rare on pretty much all consumables. Morrison's identified this many years ago and price-pitches far higher in Largs than anywhere else in its empire. This act alone allows pretty much all Largs' purveyors of swally to apply commensurately high tariff thus keeping profit margins almost uniquely lofty within the Scottish bevvy sector.
These dynamics will now change. Tesco can afford to sell the old demon at a loss. Mark my words, "they will."
Morrison's is unlikely to roll over and have its corporate belly tickled and to that end, coupled with extended (vs Morrison's) hours, we *Largs* will have a veritable Jihad on drink prices within the town which will most certainly have a direct impact on …
1. Pubs and Clubs
2. Other Booze retailers – NB Haddows and VickyW are in a vulnerable position right now
3. The Hepatic Health of the town. Cheap prices drive up consumption.
4. The AA on Boyd Street better start looking for bigger premises – maybe the 600 seat Vikingar auditorium – assuming it's still unlicensed – thanks Frau Marshall.
Poppycock? Check out the business models of any surviving booze outlet in a non-rural setting. In the words of Paul Weller "the public gets what the public wants" and the public wants cheap booze. NOW check out the associated carnage of same. It's coming to a town near you – very very soon. It can't not.
Take it as a given that Tesco will not lose – Tesco never loses. Tesco will offer special two-for-one deals on grannies before it stoops to the effrontery of ethical booze pricing.
Various outlets, including boozers, in Largs will fold as a direct result.
SPAR, McColl's Haddows, VickyW, Haco, Most clubs and pubs that currently attract patronage through low pricing are all going to be devastated – not directly by TESCO itself but by the ensuing price-war waged upon this town. This has never happened in Largs due to Morrison's proximity (or lack thereof) to residential Largs coupled with conveniently *for them* curtailed trading hours. Tesco is not stupid and due to the decades of liberty-taking by Morrison's regarding uncompetitive pricing, this town is looking at the biggest retail shake-up in its history.
People seem to think this is some kind of Noddy Tesco outlet – perhaps by Tesco's standards it is however on a Largs' scale it's positively massive and as sure chickens lay eggs, you can guarantee there's going to be a disproportionately humungous booze section within the new store. Any single business in Largs that is expecting, as reported in this newspaper "a trading boon" clearly hasn't thought this through.
If surrounding businesses think for one minute that the kind of customers that Tesco attracts (i.e different from Woolies) will, for one minute, walk 20 yards to afford you some kind of extra patronage in that which Tesco does not provide – think again. Within a year, this place will be selling clothes, cosmetics, baked goods, newspapers all complemented with a loss making extremely cheap, tres pretty café. Where are the dreams of Tesco overspill trading now?
Any decent town council or town initiative would have seen this coming long ago. Alas, our town council and initiative never. For some reason, known only unto themselves, they've actually either remained mute or even championed this pending disaster.
I truly hope from the bottom of my underpants that I am wrong on this.
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Largs Leveller
Unregistered User
Nov 18 09 20:32
Comment: 6315
TE Stockwell. Ha Ha. After digging through the grammatical minefield and the inspired (if not entirely accurate) use of quotation marks we learn that Tesco are the masterminds behind the booze fuelled youths of broken Britain and has seemingly targetted Largs for systematic social deconstruction. All this and a reference to Yazz. Genius. Evidently somewhere locally is already sellng cheap booze...
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jakeyrollin
Unregistered User
Nov 19 09 08:10
Comment: 6318
Bring it on ! I personally am so hacked off at Morrisons, Esso and the like. In fact, I'm only sorry Tesco cant get a bigger premises and a petrol station ! Some of the pubs, my local included, are charging more than some city centre establishments and I never thought I'd see that day. It's doesn't stop me using my local but maybe this kick up the chorus and verse is what is needed. As for us Jakey's...we'll be fine.
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Albert Cohen
Unregistered User
Nov 19 09 12:10
Comment: 6336
Dear Mrs Large Reveller,
I rechecked my partner's grammar and other than one errant comma, it appears tickity-boo - a feat in itself given the fleeting nature of such discourse coupled with the 1.5" text window he had to work within.
Re your ramblings and primary school grammatical mistakes ("Tesco are[sic]") you've clearly missed the point. Mr Stockwell clearly stated, "not directly by TESCO itself but by the ensuing price-war waged upon this town"
Tesco isn't (would you prefer "aren't?") actually going to do diddly-squat differently in Largs; it's business as usual for Britain's largest retailer and alas, therein lies the rub. It's about economies of scale, purchasing leverage and our very own Adam Smith's theory of supply and demand. As good grammar seems to confound you, a diagram would be ideal at this juncture however citing the old adage "If my auntie had [xxxxx] she'd be my uncle" I'll simply have to make do with this irksome little peephole and bullet it for you, ok?
1. Tesco is Big.
2. Big group purchases mean big group discounts leading to cheaper retail prices
3. All other Largs' retail businesses (except one) are small
4. Small businesses purchase less and are therefore afforded less discount leading to dearer retail prices.
***** All pretty straightforward so far. Let's look at the microeconomics. *****
5. Largs is small
6. Largs is geographically disparate and as such has a very static and finite economy with little prospect of growth.
7. Tesco requires a substantial slice of this finite economy to return its investment
8. Tesco is not replacing a similar business
**** Throw in the Human Condition *****.
9. Tesco is cheap – People like cheap
10. Tesco is handy – People like handyrn11. Tesco is new and hungry – People like new and hungryrn**** And here is The Economies of Scale, Free market blurb *****
12. Small businesses cannot compete with Tesco's prices
13. Morrison's can compete with Tesco's prices
14. Morrison's will compete with Tesco's prices
15. The current artificially high prices (defined by Morrison's) in the current fortuitously-locked micro-economy must now tumble in line with free market economic principles to form a new, lower pricing regime across the town.
16. Largs now, for the first time, has a free market
17. Small businesses must meet their fixed overheads and now in this new free economy, they must drop their prices and increase their volumes to do so.
18. A reduction in retail price leads to a reduction in revenue if volumes remain constant
**** Now the beautiful part (the basis for the movie A Beautiful Mind), mother nature herself – Adam Smith 101 ****
19. As prices go down, consumption goes up. No real secret there but why????
Because it has to!!! Sounds tenuous to the layman I guess but over 200 years later and Adam Smith's simple but beautiful observation is still holding firm in free market economies. Don't think about it, just accept it. It's far too complex to address in this rant.
*** Conclusion ***
Consumption will go through the roof now that we will finally have a free market environment because… it has to. Don't argue with me, argue with Adam Smith. As people can only drink finite amounts of alcohol (so I'm told) and given that we don't have "free market livers" then consumption based on a non-price (service) basis has to drop. The only place consumption can drop on a service basis is……… Pubs and Clubs. Again, take it up with Smith. Given that we already have massive over-provision of alcohol within Largs, there can only ever be one outcome: Some pubs are going to fail – especially the independents.
**** Business Fall Out ******
Unfortunately NAC is not a free market entity. Neither truly are the utility companies and countless other public(ish) services that businesses pay for directly. These costs are fixed and have to be met. You could now argue that businesses have the same revenue as before, through increased consumption albeit priced lower. This is probably roughly correct in terms of competition but we've added a new entity viz. Tesco. Given that without Tesco, in a free market setting, market share and revenue would remain constant, then by adding Tesco into the equation, their *Tesco's* market share gain (from 0% to X%) is the aggregated loss of all other similar retailers. Indulge me…
I'd estimate that all(ish) similar businesses will lose at least 10 percent of revenue to fuel Tesco's turnover. Morrison's can live with a 10 percent drop – they're sitting very fleshy. Now look at the other half dozen or so similar general store businesses in town – loosely speaking, they turnover 700K – 1.4M. That's 70K to 140K in lost turnover for the small general stores (with already tight margins) and probably a loss of close on a million to Morrison's (big margins). This aggregated loss is pretty much in line with the expected turnover of the new Tesco's ergo QED…. All General Stores cannot exist in Largs with a ten percent drop in revenue – it's simply impossible with fixed costs. Now add in the spec*alist stores – the grocers, fishmongers, butcher etc…. Tesco's coffers need filled and filled they will be. Hairy, eh?
It's far too late to reverse this eventuality and so, as a town, we have to act not against Tesco but we have to act like Tesco. The economies of scale bizzo etc... Largs needs business championship like never before. Broken banks, oppressive local government, ineffective town governance, public-sector Muppeteers, wetter summers etc etc. We need a vision and that vision has to be far reaching and inspired. If a disadvantaged *former* hovel like West Kilbride can do it, then surely we can. I'm not advocating culling the cheesiness of an outmoded bygone era, still very prevalent in Largs today. By all means keep it; it's our heritage and I personally adore it (mostly). A lick of paint and a wee tidy up wouldn't go a miss here and there however this is not VISION; this is simply the same old myopic torpor that has enveloped Largs for a hundred years. It cannot be difficult to attract business on a grand scale to this beautiful part of the world. This however will require cohesive action and grit. It's time to get rid of the current town representatives in the various aggrandised, largely unelected incumbencies that they hold. It's time for qualified democracy to prevail with only self-made, educated people of proven ability being elected to stand. There are too many talkers, too many self-interest nebs, too many party-affiliated cretins – in short, too many people who don't have the interest of Largs (and Fairlie of course) as their sole concern.
P.S Large Reveller… Confucius say "When in Gleenhouse, do not thlow locks."
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largonian
Unregistered User
Nov 19 09 13:48
Comment: 6342
I could not agree more with the last 5 lines of 6336...about time the truth were told about the comedy council and the innits who are basically self-interested failures profiteers rather than folk with any business sense...self-made educated people with proven abbility would not work with the current mainly dross
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Largs Leveller
Unregistered User
Nov 19 09 15:06
Comment: 6345
Mr Cohen
I'll assume your response was for me despite the naming error
Now lets take a step back...
It appears that we agree and disagree on a number of points. Without question, the introduction of Tesco to Largs is going to have an impact on prices. When viewed in isolation this is a good thing - especially when considering the pricing strategy adopted by Morrisons in the town. However, as you quite rightly point out, viewing this situation in isolation does not give an accurate indication of the wider impact that this new store could have. The picture that you paint of falling revenues across the other smaller retailers in Largs is a definite possibility. In fact if the status quo is maintained by the decision makers (NAC) and other retailers in Largs then your observations become an almost certainty.
Given that the introduction of Tesco is the only certainty at present then this has to be viewed as an opportunity to change for the better. With Tesco in a prime town centre location there will be increased footfall through this area. Retailers have to take advantage of this - if they are not proactive then your grim prophecy will be a reality. NAC has to play its part and has to work to make the town centre more appealing and less dated (at least in parts). It needs made relevant so that its many strengths are highlighted. Largs is an exceptional place to live and attracting people here should not be difficult. It does indeed appear that the wrong people are in positions of authority and responsibility.
While I do not necessarily agree with everything that you have written the fact the you have taken the time to comprehensively put your point across shows that you are probably better placed to drive the town forward that the complacent incumbants at present - at least an educated debate would be assured. Indeed there are a number of active business people in Largs who, if properly engaged, could really make a difference to the town. Take the owner of The Lounge as an excellent example...
These coming months will be difficult for local retailers but hopefully the arrival of Tesco will be the kickstart that will make Largs as prosperous as it should (and deserves) to be. Your comment that Largs needs a vision that is far reaching and inspired succinctly defines the outcome perfectly - putting the right people in the right places to acheive this will be the hard bit...
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Largs Leveller
Unregistered User
Nov 19 09 15:12
Comment: 6346
Mr Cohen
I'll assume your response was for me despite the naming error
Now lets take a step back...
It appears that we agree and disagree on a number of points. Without question, the introduction of Tesco to Largs is going to have an impact on prices. When viewed in isolation this is a good thing - especially when considering the pricing strategy adopted by Morrisons in the town. However, as you quite rightly point out, viewing this situation in isolation does not give an accurate indication of the wider impact that this new store could have. The picture that you paint of falling revenues across the other smaller retailers in Largs is a definite possibility. In fact if the status quo is maintained by the decision makers (NAC) and other retailers in Largs then your observations become an almost certainty.
Given that the introduction of Tesco is the only certainty at present then this has to be viewed as an opportunity to change for the better. With Tesco in a prime town centre location there will be increased footfall through this area. Retailers have to take advantage of this - if they are not proactive then your grim prophecy will be a reality. NAC has to play its part and has to work to make the town centre more appealing and less dated (at least in parts). It needs made relevant so that its many strengths are highlighted. Largs is an exceptional place to live and attracting people here should not be difficult. It does indeed appear that the wrong people are in positions of authority and responsibility.
While I do not necessarily agree with everything that you have written the fact the you have taken the time to comprehensively put your point across shows that you are probably better placed to drive the town forward that the complacent incumbants at present - at least an educated debate would be assured. Indeed there are a number of active business people in Largs who, if properly engaged, could really make a difference to the town. Take the owner of The Lounge as an excellent example...
These coming months will be difficult for local retailers but hopefully the arrival of Tesco will be the kickstart that will make Largs as prosperous as it should (and deserves) to be. Your comment that Largs needs a vision that is far reaching and inspired succinctly defines the outcome perfectly - putting the right people in the right places to acheive this will be the hard bit...
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TE Stockwell
Unregistered User
Nov 19 09 17:36
Comment: 6356
Miss Reveller,
All boiled down, you've really just affirmed my Nostradamiun account of how things are going to pan out. I thank you for this. Any variations you allude to seem dependent on NAC getting proactively involved. This isn't going to happen; not in a month of Giroless Thursday in the Three Towns – no ma'am. North Bearshire makes no secret of its contempt for this outreach of the Irvo-Saltcoatian Empire. The relationship is very much perceived by same as a Them & Us association. "Them" who don't pay any tax and lord it up large aboard the SS Junket at every conceivable (and inconceivable) opportunity and… "Us" who burst our humps 50/60 hours a week to get royally rogered to the tune of 50% to keep these obfuscatory inveigling Trotskyites in the lack of style they are accustomed to.
I adore this town. There is very little I do not cherish about it and every new day I spend here is an absolute joy. It's a privilege to reside in Largs; a blessing from above if you will. It truly breaks my heart however to see such a wonderful community; a veritable Celtic Shangri-La represented by these aloof, largely uneducated, snouts-in-the-trough, vacuous, intransigent base dolittles. I am consumed with anger and disappointment at their inaction and inability to step up to the mark to properly serve the people they vowed to champion for. My fellow Largonians deserve better – MUCH BETTER.
I would appreciate the L&M's involvement in this. Perhaps a series of interviews with our local representatives on NAC / Community Council / Mayor / Largs Initiative. Maybe even some interviews from our publicly funded services here in Largs – the Vikingar, Inverclyde SC. Maybe I could set the backdrop within which the interviews should be delimited? How about this (please feel free to refine or add)….
WHAT THE HELL DO YOU DO?
I reckon the collective replies should probably fill the same column inches as a single birth announcement in the classifieds from someone on a tight budget – or from Paisley, e.g "Boab b.19.11".
With regards to the single candidacy you threw into the arena "the owner from [~the] Lounge" I personally do not know the chap that well but anyone who's up to the job meeting the basic criteria of "proven ability" and "educated" will get my vote.
Am I being unreasonable here?
We can't reverse the Tesco decision. The ball was dropped on the watch of the current hapless-custodians of our supposed best interests – plain and simple… they were asleep at the wheel. It will not bring in a single additional farthing into this town – why would it? It will take serious market share and as sure as god made little green methadone doses; prices will invariably tumble across the board - thus driving up consumption *booze not methadone – then again we have God's Junkie chariot around the corner*. To this end we need a town united in attracting new money and sustainable, reliable investment to offset the over-supply we're going to have in pretty much everything – especially vacant commercial real estate.
As long as the current incumbents remain in situ, this prophecy of doom gloom and despondency will surely be realised by their inaction.
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Hazelkaye
Unregistered User
Nov 19 09 17:50
Comment: 6358
M&S Simply Food - anybody?
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henry gusset
Unregistered User
Nov 19 09 18:56
Comment: 6363
good grief...the arrival of tesco in largs will not start a price war. tesco express are in general pretty expensive. those comments who hail the arrival as the second coming of the messiah should get a grip and see it as the end of largs as an individual seaside town. tesco are here to make money...they will not be cheap..they never are!they dont care about largs or the town folk. this is the worst thing that could have happened to our great little town
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Largs Leveller
Unregistered User
Nov 19 09 19:39
Comment: 6364
TE Stockwell
It's Mr Leveller...
Anyway, a colleague of mine would describe our exchange as 'violently agreeing' - at least of the main issue. Largs does deserve better - this town has so much unrealised potential. While I appear to be slightly more optimistic about the merits of other towns than you are I definitely share your view of Largs. There is no other town I would rather come home to at night and no other place I would rather bring up my young kids.
I do however think that Tesco coming to Largs is a good thing. Filling vacant premises in a prime location is a good thing. Bringing some competition and choice to Largs consumers is a good thing. A national chain bringing some longevity to its tenure is a good thing (how many times have we seen independent shops open and then promptly close in the town over the years?).
The deal is done so everyone has to approach this with optimism. What choice is there?
Change is needed to really make a difference in the town. I agree with you that the Largs & Millport is ideally placed to champion the views of the people who can make an impact. New challenges require new ideas and new ideas require fresh perspectives. As I said before, finding the right people will be the hard part. People who really care and want to make a difference are hard to find. Perhaps you and I should form a committee?
The booze culture that exists in Largs in the evenings is definitely an issue. Walking through town at night is definitely an experience – getting off a late train from Glasgow does wonders for developing keen senses. That said though I don't think Tesco will add to this in any significant way. Those who want to drink will do it regardless of whether there is another outlet at hand in the town centre and price isn't a massive factor for those determined enough to drink until they fall down. It should be remembered though that this element are in the minorityrn
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Jake the Snake
Unregistered User
Nov 20 09 06:38
Comment: 6369
Quality man, pure quality..luvin' the chat here man, know whit a mean?
Aw this talk aboot booze is really gettin' me an' the boys thursty. This boy smith's got it sorted man, he must a been a brullyant jake.
Soon as that tesco train cums bustin' through the toon, i'll be oot early doors, pick ma missus up fae the junkie jesus free grub bus and we're hittin' the big T tae score some cheap booze.
JG Sharp's has seen the last o me.
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Rinky-dink
Unregistered User
Nov 20 09 11:05
Comment: 6376
Could someone not persuade M&Co to relocate to the Woolworths premises, and then at least we'd get a bigger Tesco.
Or is that building still owned by Templeton/Presto/Safeway/Morrisons, in which case it's never going to happen?
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Johnathon
Unregistered User
Nov 20 09 14:08
Comment: 6384
Morrisons charge the same prices in every store they operate, and that's a fact. Tesco charge the same in every express store they operate.
Those of you who think there is going to be a price war unique to Largs are completely deluded.
What may happen is that Morrisons will put a bit more effort into making their store appear neat and tidy, and being well stocked, which is a good thing. But a Tesco Express is going to have absolutely no influence on their prices! It will not be cheaper, and possibly won't even be feasible, to do your weekly shop in the new Tesco.
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TE Stockwell
Unregistered User
Nov 20 09 16:10
Comment: 6389
Seriously, I'm struggling to comprehend the vacuous idiocy in some of the myopic reasoning here.
Let me break this down *further* ...
1. Tesco is a new operation. It never took over a similar enterprise.
2. Tesco Express operates general stores.
3. This new Tesco Express will aim for a turnover in the region of £8 million in its first year.
4. The market for this business "sector" in this town is finite and static - no one will visit Largs for a Tesco - again, why would they?
5. The £8 million that Tesco will make in the first year will come solely from the loss of revenue in other general stores / supermarkets - where else would it come from?
The beauty of Adam Smith's supply and demand model is that it works both ways - adjust either and its complement will inversely compensate. In this instance, with the other stores.... turnover of goods will have to rise and therefore prices will have to fall. Neither supply nor demand can remain static as this new £8M hole has to be filled somehow. Is this clear enough?
Look at the three options for existing stores..
1. Do nothing and ride out your share of the £8M loss to the local general store economy. This cannot happen because of fixed cost overheads.
2. Increase your prices to compensate for your reduced turnover(that tesco is now selling) of goods(demand) - Why would anyone shop at your store and pay more?
This leaves only option 3.....
3. Reduce your prices and increase the turnover of goods(demand).
There is NO option 4. Am I missing something?
To compound the problem... the rules of supply and demand are recursive. Points 1-3 continue to reduce prices until an increase in demand takes place, i.e an existing shop goes out of business freeing up its trade(demand) for the combined market to "share."
You obviously consider yourself above this and believe you have some divine intuition that trashes the above established economic principle.
Denial is clearly your strongest suit.. This is a disaster.
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Alan Jones
Unregistered User
Nov 20 09 17:17
Comment: 6390
6389 - Get a grip. Relax. You are taking this far too seriously. The majority of people commenting in this article and others over the past few weeks are positive about this development for Largs. Lets just leave it there.
Did you have a bad Tesco experience?
Remember - Every little helps...
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Lady of Largs
Unregistered User
Nov 20 09 17:20
Comment: 6391
6390, here here. Enough already. Its a good thing. End of.
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jakeyrollin
Unregistered User
Nov 20 09 18:37
Comment: 6393
You guys ever thought of writing a musical ?
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TE Stockwell
Unregistered User
Nov 20 09 19:39
Comment: 6396
Let's not just leave it there....
A perfect example on how non business people should never be afforded public office - they simply don't have a clue.
The opinion that this is "a good thing" is myopic in the extreme and solely self-serving.
Rather than debate with facts and considered opinion, you choose to base your case on how it will benefit you in terms of increased competition, thus lower prices - the usual garbage to be expected from the minions of monthly paid, indentured servants. I know I earlier said "myopic". What I meant was "blind."
Tesco is disastrous for Largs businesses and also for overall alcohol consumption.
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Marco
Unregistered User
Nov 20 09 23:22
Comment: 6398
There is a good chance that Largs main street could end up bereft of any independent operators which is tragic, but symptomatic of the arrival of national retailers in most towns across the UK.
Like TE Stockwell has said - most people don't care about the demise of a town's soul, as long as it saves them a few extra pennies in the short term.
Take the Fruiter on the corner of Aitken Street as an example. How many more will follow him? How many people care?
Therein lies the rub.
p.s. - "monthly paid, indentured servants" - harsh but accurate.
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******
Unregistered User
Nov 21 09 18:45
Comment: 6403
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jakeyrollin
Unregistered User
Nov 24 09 14:15
Comment: 6456
Oh the banter ! Can anyone tell me why Morrisons have 4 people in evey aisle filling shelves that aren't empty and only 4 tills open with queues trailing back yards ? I'll tell you ! They're trying to squeeze as much out us before Tesco opens ! Also, I beg to differ. I know numerous products that are cheaper in JohnStone and Stevenston than Largs ! At least Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask. This shower are mingin'. A week in there an I would have the whole thing turned around and I ain't no retailer.
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hitchhikingtovalhalla
Unregistered User
Nov 24 09 15:21
Comment: 6460
I think talk of cheap goods via a Tesco at the old Wollies site is a bit off the mark.
Tesco operates a two tier pricing policy with its larger stores being able to offer cheap savings whilst the smaller 'extra' stores don't.
Guess which one Largs will get.
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******
Unregistered User
Nov 25 09 07:46
Comment: 6476
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******
Unregistered User
Nov 25 09 07:47
Comment: 6477
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TE Stockwell
Unregistered User
Nov 25 09 10:30
Comment: 6478
I've tried to make this simple.
- Tesco WILL earn £8-12M in its first year.
- Tesco will NOT attract business from out of town
- This £8-12 M will come from the aggregate loss of other traders
- This £8-12M is a substantial loss
- Stores can either engage or fold
- Stores will either engage or fold
This is a disaster
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Unregistered User
Nov 25 09 12:58
Comment: 6482
Hahaha class! How is it a disaster with a tesco coming to Largs geeez - think of all the cheaper grub and booze! Im right at the front of the queue ! Get in !
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Johnathon
Unregistered User
Dec 3 09 12:00
Comment: 6662
Jakeyrollin name these products then. I have never seen any price difference and know for a fact that Morrisons operate to a national price list. One possibility is that you have visited each store on different weeks (prices change on a Sunday night). Also larger stores do stock cheaper items that LArgs may not stock, due to lack of space and the priority the higher profit items clearly take. But that's not charging higher prices, its selling an item that Largs doesn't stock!
I suppose Morrisons in Largs may be allowed to stock more of these value items to compete, but I doubt it will be necessary as the new Tesco will have to devote even less space to value ranges.
Also I'm not sure of the logic of your theory that having 4 people stocking every aisle and just four tills open constitutes squeezing every penny out of Largs "before Tesco comes" - Tesco is not going to be a viable alternative to Morrisons by virtue of it's far smaller size (smaller range) and higher prices (cheaper items not stocked) for a weekly shop - I doubt they are sweating over this.
Also, I imagine much of Tesco's income will come from Largs residents who like their products and currently travel to Kilbi
ie or Greenock or even Irvine for their shopping. Therefore it won't be £8m out of the local economy, perhaps half that would be more realistic. Although that's still highly significant of course. Morrisons average store takes £35-40m a year so Largs can probably be assumed to be around the £20-£25m mark - Tesco isn't massive at all compared to this.
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jakeyrollin
Unregistered User
Dec 9 09 10:57
Comment: 6762
Jonathan, all good points and I may have to concede as I cannot say over which days I noticed the price difference.I have had price issues with dishwater tablets,tins of curry sauce to peas. Suffice to say,I shop in the Stevenston store almost always now as the whole 'shopping experience' is far more pleasureable than the nightmare of Largs. Are the ailse widths uniform across all Morrisons stores as well as their pricing strategy? My logic on the shelve stacking is that it would appear they are happy to stack to the hilt at all times to make sure you can fill your trolley but they don't seem to mind making you wait to pay. Don't they know that once we've bought we like to go.Morrisons Largs staff account for more hold ups around that store than any shopper(in what appears to be narrower ailes). Personally, I will be glad of a local alternative and if that turns out as badly run as the Morrisons store I'll still have Stevenston,Kilbi
ie and Greenock. Happy days. I still liked that they gave the wee Woolies woman a job mind. Apologies for the delay in replying, thought this thread had gone. JK
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