New supermarket plan: ‘Scrap it’
Monday 29th March 2010, 3:00PM BST.
Jersey Chamber of Commerce president Ray Shead
BUSINESS leaders are calling for the withdrawal of a controversial report recommending a new out-of-town supermarket which was heavily edited after being leaked.
The leaked original report described a new supermarket as essential and said that a ‘semi-rural’ setting was necessary and justified – but the official version a week later reversed its position, saying just that a new operator should not be stopped and that a town site would be sought first.
Economic Development Minister Alan Maclean said on Friday that the changes were prompted by consultation with the Chamber of Commerce and others, but they say that when they met to discuss the report last Monday there was already a new version on the table.
Chamber of Commerce president Ray Shead has called for the report to be withdrawn and has accused the minister of ‘backtracking’ after the leaked draft received a hostile reception.
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Are these the same business leaders who own Checkers, Safeway & the Marks and Spencer franchise?
Can’t imagine why they would object.
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Typical Jersey!
This island is riddled with decision makers who either lack integrity, or have conflicts of interest
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I hate to say it but thank you to whoever leaked the report – now we have proof where the vested interests are and who they’re vested in.
As it’s not election year here I dare a States Member to come out in favour of the public’s wishes….
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Hopefully the Economic Development Minister Alan Maclean will ignore the Chamber of Commerce and do what the electorate would wish.
Forget Tesco, Sainsbury or Morrisons; go for Lidl, Aldi or even Fresh Farm Foods. I can save up to 30% to 40% doing my weekly shop in any of these.
Of course the bigots, who can not forget World War II and the occupation will whinge about Lidl and Aldi being German, but it is time to let bygones be bygones expecially if allowing these supermarkets to trade in the Island will save people lots of money.
You always see the pensioners in this sort of shop and it may help to stabalise the economy….maybe the teachers could go there and spend less, then they wouldn’t need a pay rise.
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Come on bring on Carrefour!!!
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What’s wrong Mr Shead, scared of a bit of competition or scared the monopoly in place might change !
Service standards in Jersey supermarkets are appalling, quality is shocking, prices are too high and a competitor would lead to change.
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1)#Wouldn’t surprise me.
The same couldn’t wait for New Look to move in and were not bothered about small shops closing either,but as soon as another supermarket is mentioned their up in arms.
WE,ve had surveys and surveys,even an expert (which cost about $50,0000) to tell us we definitely need more food and choice,this lot still try to deny us any choice.
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Well they would say that would’nt they.!!
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let them all in asda tesco halfords lidil morrisons etc bring down these rip off prices they charge overhere
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Arrr, Le Phew exactly what I was just thinking. Why not let it happen & if it all fails then they can say ‘we told you so’. However I honestly don’t think it will fail & what have we the public got to lose?
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There will be no need to worry when we get the bridge sorted. Businesses will still be able to charge what they want but myself and others will have the option as to whether we are prepared to pay or not. In my case it will be not. Is this a clear enough message to those in charge?
Will they listen and will they do something about it before it is too late? Please remember the customer is always right.
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A minister backtracking!! – surely not!!
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What a surprise that the ‘Business Community’ is trying to block a new supermarket on the island – isn’t this a perfect comparison with expecting turkeys to vote for Christmas? It is obvious that the majority of the people in Jersey are desperate for a more competitive retail sector. If the Senators ignore their voting public in favour of the views of the business community then this will be an absolute proof that they are in the pay of said businesses.
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Cheap food here is a mirage…the likes of Lidl etc would soon price to the market…they only work in large demographics,in a small place it would be same ,same in no time…do not fall for the illusion….supermarkets are money making machines and not on your side ,,and don’t even pay tax here…parasites commercially.
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‘A minister backtracking!! – surely not!!’
Have a look at Alan Maclean’s election manifestos!
They may still be on his web site, an amazing lesson in not voting for any policy that he was elected on.
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Shows that politicians loyalties lie with a small number of monopolistic businesses rather than a large number of consumers (who have a vote)
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14
Neither do the other 2 supermarkets pay tax.
6 they are definitely looking after someones interests.
Have you seen the prices of farm shops?
£3 for a tin of soup.
The same for cornflakes.
Try living here on a pension,money doe,st stretch very far after utility bills and everyday living is taking into consideration.
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Quote: Of course the bigots, who can not forget World War II and the occupation will whinge about Lidl and Aldi being German, but it is time to let bygones be bygones expecially if allowing these supermarkets to trade in the Island will save people lots of money.
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I cant understand why there is criticism of the fact that the report was “heavily edited after being leaked”.
It wasnt ready to go into the public domain at the time it was leaked – its not unusual for significant amendments to be made in reports such as these right up until they are released.
I wish we could start cracking down on those who leak government documents.
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How much will the toll be to use your bridge Adrian ?
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Concrete in Guernsey is 25% more expensive than Jersey.
In Guernsey Ronez has a monopoly.
In Jersey they have a competitor.
Who says competition does not work
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Decision Makers should declare their interests (fingers in Pies)in companies before voting or opposing such like. Greedy!
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truthseeker i dont know if you have ever done any food shoping but if you have you will remember that the original safeway which then became morrisons were both cheaper than the co/op and checkers. the offers they had in england were alway offered in their shops in jersey unlike what happens at marks and spencers
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What a surprise! they want to continue to keep the monopoly and continue to fleece the Jersey shoppers. by not letting in one of the big supermarkets like Tesco, Morrison,or Asda all The decision makes want is to keep the prices high in Jersey.
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Come on now! we are supposed to live in a democracy. So lets have some democratic behaviour, and let a third supermarket rein supreme, that wont i “trust” be rulled by the majority stakeholder in Jerseys supermarket empire.
Theres to much of a “North Korean” atmosphere
going on here, of i give you a large back hander and you keep quiet,nothing happened, nothing is seen, or heard and i get to control everything and cripple the ordinary people.
There you have it JERSEY!
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How can a business get a licence to trade in Jersey when the business then run competes with those owned by those granting the licences?? perhaps after the review of the Baliff and senior roles is complete we could use the presiding official to comment on the corrupt way the other business leaders manage to steal from the rest of the population by blocking competition……….
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a new supermarket will only work if they can offer better prices a french one would be great
they seem to stock more flavours of things not like here we need more competition here england
get such good deal but not here we have to pay
higher prices
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WHAT are you all prepared to do then its your island ?????
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Before we talk of conspiracy, can anyone actually tell me if any of the big 4 supermarkets have actually shown any interest in coming to Jersey? I doubt it. Their business model of very low margin and massive turnover does not match supplying a small Island through a supermarket site less than half the footprint available in your average UK industrial estate.
Besides, their unlikely presence would only lead to 2 outcomes, neither of which are good for Jersey:
The first scenario is they set up shop and charge similar prices to existing supermarkets because they can, and to make it worth the hassle of coming here.
The second, and more worrying prospect, would be they loss lead other supermarkets out of existence until they dominate and then rack up the prices to suit, much like they have been doing in the UK destroying small communities. The JCRA would be expected step in of course and if successful the supermarket would leave Jersey and a massive vacuum in the supermarket industry.
Let’s be clear, these 4 supermarkets have one goal – domination. Unless they could dominate Jersey and destroy every large and small food retailer they would not be interested in coming here.
Off the main article slightly, I never understood how people complain so much about food prices yet small and very expensive convenient/garage shops like the likes of Spa are still increasing in number. Oh, may be it’s because I see people doing their weekly shop in there instead of walking 200 metres further to the larger and cheaper alternative. Things can’t be that bad if we can still afford those prices!
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Who does Mr. Ray Shead thing he is?, telling the
states to scrap plans for another Supermarket!, this is the man who orchestrated the introduction of “New Look” into the Island, done in record time by the way.
He showed no regard for the many, many boutique`s and existing clothes shops existing in Town already, many are finding it hard to survive, and the chances are that some will close their doors for the last time this year, he was absolutely petrified that some firm would take over the old “Woolies” and sell goods that Sandpiper and the Co-op sell. Fortunately, people seen straight through him.
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PJG “How much will the toll be to use your bridge Adrian ?”
Less than Condor’s normal pricing structure. It might even better their best price offer if possible. Obviously if people still would wish to go by sea and have all the associated hassles that would be their perrogative.
It also would have a weighted wealth element in.
PJG “Who says competition does not work”
I do.
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Cheap, cheap, cheap, the cry from all. Ever givin any thought as to why you can buy cheap goods?
Well you get cheap goods because people out there, far less well off, are being screwed, including children.
It is no surprise, but an awful shame, that the majority of your correspondents seem to have no concience whatsoever about this fact. As long as they save a few pennies, nothing else matters.
The exploitation of men, women, children and the environment simply doesn’t seem to factor into the general Jersey mindset. I’m alright Jack, screw you.
I can’t wait until the day your finance industry disappears, and you enter the real World. It may not be very soon, but believe me, its on the way. You can’t envisage it, beacuse you’ve never seen it, but it will happen.
Jon
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Talk of doing your weekly shop at LIDL makes me laugh – yes they do have some incredible bargains if they have what you want but you can’t go in there with a shoppong list. By the way the chickens at the LIDL in Combourg are more expensive than at our local M&S.
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23 I agree,But where are they now….?
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You’re bang on the money Jon. Too much much greed to much me, me, me and a case of stuff you. Is it any wonder things are going down hill?
Jersey used to be such a nice place until finance arrived. Every one knew everyone and you could trust your neighbours and your boss etc etc. More space, less people, less traffic, a more relaxed way of life with little stress or strain. No worries and a lot more happiness!
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The majority here are under the impresion that if a Mainland Supermarket wanted to come to Jersey which I very much think they do not the cost still would not be the same as the UK no where like it.Freight, freight and more cost to freight. One of the main reasons our food is costly is because of the freight charges. A mainland supermarket is not going to be interested in a foothold to our islands.If you think I am wrong email them and you will get the same reply as I ” At this time it is not our intention to look at areas such as the Channel Islands”. The public may want Tesco, Asda to name two but the companies do not even want to come into our islands.This is fact Morrisons were not put out of Jersey they wanted out of Jersey that is fact.Freight charges are a factor here like it or not.
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So, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, who himself runs a business importing food, calls for plans recommending a new food selling retailer in Jersey be scrapped.
Nothing to do his own personal snout in the trough, it’s all in the public interest ,because, of course, our esteemed leadership knows what is best for us.
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#21 PJG:
“Concrete in Guernsey is 25% more expensive than Jersey.
In Guernsey Ronez has a monopoly.
In Jersey they have a competitor.
Who says competition does not work”
Is PJG reduced to eating ready-mixed concrete? We are discussing supermarkets in this thread, not builders’ merchants.
Do try to keep up, old boy!
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@ 36 Kate.
Yes, you are right, but also add the harbour duties charged in the UK and then again in Jersey to load and unload the products. And what about returned goods, who pays for them, or shall we just drop them off at our new eco friendly burner?
Add to that the higher cost of rent, staff building etc. These supermarkets are in BUSINESS they are not charities.
A basic food basket in Portsmouth Sainsbury will need all these add on costs to get to Jersey. Will the supermarket absorb these costs or pass them on to the customer? Answers on the back of a till receipt please.
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Things cost more here because wages are higher, property costs more to rent/buy, freight charges are higher trading hours are shorter. Comparing Jersey with UK prices is like comparing two completely different ecomomies, just pointless and can’t be of any use.
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