‘I’d have marked it as a fail’
Monday 24th May 2010, 2:56PM BST.
Professor Paul Dobson
A PROFESSOR asked to review a States report supporting a third supermarket in Jersey has said he would have marked it as a fail if it had be submitted by one of his students.
Professor Paul Dobson, who was commissioned by the Jersey Chamber of Commerce to assess an Economic Development document called Economic Advice for Updating the Retail Framework’, said it lacked balance and left out important data.
He said if the report had been submitted for assessment by a student at Loughborough University, where he teaches, then he would have probably failed it.
‘If the criteria were to be objective and balanced, then at best I would have asked them to revise and resubmit but I would have probably failed them,’ he said.
Economic Development said they were considering a response to Prof Dobson’s comments.
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Well b*gger me, der report from der Chamber of Commerce’s say supermarket = bad man who must be fought with bow and arrow.
Mind you, the States are only paying lipservice to the new supermarket idea – they gave permission for Marks & Spencer to take over most larger out-of-town stores and Dandara to turn the Dairy site into housing (perfect supermarket venue).
I bet that most States members couldn’t give the price of a litre of milk or loaf of bread if they were asked…they’re so far removed from the lives of the rest of us it’s no wonder they’re surprised we complain about prices.
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Why does it take an outsider to be listened to when all of us who live here could have told you it for free….?
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with the arrogance shown by this so-called expert, if i was on a course with him at Loughborough Uni i think i would ask to change tutor ! ! !
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Strange how during this mini heat wave; one starts thinking about turkey and Xmas.
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Well, despite the brief, the answer is “No, because of vested interests (as usual here by the way, and as you’re a new consultant, you have to learn how it works, before you bill us, so take a few months to answer, and its excuse Number 1 in this manual on how to get more worthless work from The States), now what is the question again?” so what do we really expect?
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and how much are our “highley qualified” consultants on who wrote this trash?
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There are two supermarket operators in Jersey.
First there is the Co-op, where as a member you receive a 4 percent dividend on all purchases and sometimes double. The Co-op is part of the wider Co-operative network which grows its own produce (in the UK) and to whom the phrase ‘corporate social responsibility’ means more than just a slick marketing campaign. The Co-op actively champion local, organic and Fairtrade produce. They also support a number of local social causes.
Secondly there is Sandpiper (formerly CI Traders), who own everything else including Benests, Morrisons Checkers and Marks and Spencer. They import stuff and sell it at a premium. Marks and Spencers buy broccoli from local farmers (who have to pack it themselves) and ship it to the UK before sending it back to the island to be sold in Sandpiper’s shops at four times the price they paid for it.
As far as supermarkets go, there is a choice of two ‘brands’ in Jersey. I know where my moeny will be going.
Then there are also the small, independent traders. The fish and vegetable markets sell quaklity produce at reasonable prices. Don;t forget that supermarkets often sell ‘loss leaders’ like baked beans and tinned tomatoes at knock-down prices to kid you that their prices are low, while their fruit and veg are often just as expensive as everwhere else.
Of the sso-called ‘farm shops’, some (eg Vermont Farm) sell local, organic produce at competitive prices, while others (eg Rondels, Holme Grown) seem to specialise in selling imported chutneys.
We continue to be spoilt for choice in Jersey and are surrounded by quality produce if you take the time and effort to find it. The prices may be a little higher, but quality alwyas comes at a premium. Cheap food is cheap for a reason – either someone is being ripped off or someone is cutting corners. Next time you see a two quid chicken, ask yourself how they can afford to sell it at that price.
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You can commission a report to support whatever you want it to support at the end of the day. The report writer will always be bias towards whatever view is held by those who are paying them. Since “the establishment” commissions most of the reports, it follows that said reports will always support whatever is in their best business interests which won’t necessarily be in the best interests of the Island as a whole.
I thank prof Dobson for actually having the b*lls to speak up. If only more could do the same for the other reports that have been written preferably off their own backs as we don’t want more money being wasted on reviews of reviews and reports.
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Another fail … well at least ministerial government can’t be criticised for inconsistency
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The CI Coop is exactly that, the same as M&S is a franchise, majority of what you can buy at the Coop/Somerfield in the UK is not on offer locally.
This is why i am fortunate enough to go to the UK twice a year to do most of my supermarket shopping, as a thought have just bought a Zanussi freezer in the UK less vat delivered to my door for £219, why would i shop locally and throw hard earned money away ! ! !
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Chamber of Commerce were more than certain that they would get a favourable report from this (expert)?. There is very little they will not do to protect their own interests and make sure that the Sandpiper,Co-op cartel faces no competition.
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