The question is not whether we care Peter, but rather would an ombudsman have any real power. Of course there should be something done about smaller suppliers being squeezed out on account of complaining. But Ireland is great at setting up regulatory bodies with no teeth – National Consumer Agency, Press Ombudsman. What would be far more helpful would be to change the law to prevent bullying tactics by large supermarkets. At the end of the day most people will go for the cheapest price. But people are suppliers too, unlike the executives at Tesco who are clearly aliens.
Mixed feelings – obviously good to take advantage of new lower prices in supermarkets, tempered by guilt at possibly squeezing out smaller suppliers. Try reading “Not On The Label” (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Not-Label-What-Really-Plate/dp/0141015667/ref=pd_sim_b_1) which is very through provoking. I think there’s a load of newer copycat books out there now, concentrating on the buying (and bullying) power of the supermarkets. At the time I first read it, it didn’t seem particularly relevant here, as it relates to the UK chains. However, it now seems to have taken hold here, especially with Tesco’s recent switch to foreign suppliers.
Obviously the original producer of the food deserves a bigger cut, especially when the supermarkets are raking it in. Will it stop me buying from them? Probably not, unfortunately.
Wednesday 5 August, 2009 at 1:39 pm
The question is not whether we care Peter, but rather would an ombudsman have any real power. Of course there should be something done about smaller suppliers being squeezed out on account of complaining. But Ireland is great at setting up regulatory bodies with no teeth – National Consumer Agency, Press Ombudsman. What would be far more helpful would be to change the law to prevent bullying tactics by large supermarkets. At the end of the day most people will go for the cheapest price. But people are suppliers too, unlike the executives at Tesco who are clearly aliens.
Wednesday 5 August, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I agree Snack Box, however, I do buy Irish regardless of the cost on certain items, eg meat and dairy.
Wednesday 5 August, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Mixed feelings – obviously good to take advantage of new lower prices in supermarkets, tempered by guilt at possibly squeezing out smaller suppliers. Try reading “Not On The Label” (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Not-Label-What-Really-Plate/dp/0141015667/ref=pd_sim_b_1) which is very through provoking. I think there’s a load of newer copycat books out there now, concentrating on the buying (and bullying) power of the supermarkets. At the time I first read it, it didn’t seem particularly relevant here, as it relates to the UK chains. However, it now seems to have taken hold here, especially with Tesco’s recent switch to foreign suppliers.
Obviously the original producer of the food deserves a bigger cut, especially when the supermarkets are raking it in. Will it stop me buying from them? Probably not, unfortunately.