Variety is the Spice of Life
Wow, who knew grocery stores would stir up so many emotions, some even downright hostile? Thanks for everyone's input but I'm not interested in generating controversy and bitterness.
I'm merely pointing out observations and opinions based on my experiences. PriceChopper, Hannaford and Aldi are fine grocery stores run by highly successful business folks who, admirably, go the extra mile to help local charities and not-for-profits. That is not to be disputed.
PriceChopper, Hannaford and Aldi also carry both the basics and specialty items at reasonable prices in clean shops with courteous cashiers. Again, I'm not disputing their quality or quantity.
But Wegmans is a mecca for brands and choices few have ever heard of or tried and for most it's a thrill seeing that much variety. And, like all the countries I visit and write about, being inside Wegmans was akin to flying to a foreign land.
But don't take my word for it, head west to Syracuse and see for yourself.
posted by Sonja Stark of PilotGirl™ @ 12:53 PM
2 Comments:
I haven't seen your emails on this but I can certainly relate to the controversy if it's what I think it is: that you wrote about the great items in a specialty store which is not next door and you were criticized for not recommending that people buy locally?
I'm a great supporter of shopping locally - one of my basic mottoes being that if you don't support local businesses, you won't have local businesses.
It is nevertheless still incumbent upon the local businesses to carry items you want to buy as opposed to items you could buy but really don't want to - i.e., you should never have to buy something because someone lays a guilt trip on you.
You're the consumer and in a free market economy, it's up to a business to have the goods or services available you want if they want to exchange them for your hard-earned money - the business has to be ready to go the extra mile, not just say, that's what we offer, take it or leave it.
Good businesses listen to their customers. A manager should be open to local needs. I buy most of my groceries at a successful local chain here in Jackson. Because I asked the manager to stock several items - years ago - which he did not know about, he was willing to try them out and they've been major successes ever since. That's how an exchange between businesses and customers should work. If it doesn't work that way in a local store, there are other towns and the Internet is waiting.
In other words, it's a two-way street.
No local business should expect to get a free pass just because it's local. Just as with any competitive environment anywhere in a free-enterprise system it should improve its offer of goods or services if it wants you to buy there.
This is a competitive society and local businesses should have to compete just as you or I do for income.
I love local businesses. I love supporting them, but they also have to offer what I want or I'll shop somewhere else - and they can if they try. The problem is often that they're set in their ways and don't want to take the trouble to try. If they don't they can't expect much business.
Sony... you don't have to travel 3 hours to Syracuse... travel 2 hours instead to Johnson City...basically just a few minutes from the west end of I88... there is a Wegman's there.
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