Supermarket Update

[Hadders]

And the supermarkets’ warehouse operations. At my work one of our big regional warehouses is cancelling 250,000 cases a week of store demand purely because of the number of pickers self isolating. The network normally delivers about 11 million a week nationwide so it’s a hefty chunk.

The other thing to consider is supermarket sales volume is higher than normal (due to less food being consumed in hospitality, less foreign travel etc, more eating at home etc). While this is good on the surface for supermarket it does create major problems int he supply chain. Depots have a limited capacity, although you can employ more pickers you need to manual handling equipment (reach trucks, low level order pickers etc) which is not always readily available, then add in that there is only a fixed number of loading bays at each depot, then you need more vehicles - you can hire more (but they are in short supply) and even if you can do this you still need people to drive them......

 

[SteveM70]

The other thing to consider is supermarket sales volume is higher than normal (due to less food being consumed in hospitality, less foreign travel etc, more eating at home etc). While this is good on the surface for supermarket it does create major problems int he supply chain. Depots have a limited capacity, although you can employ more pickers you need to manual handling equipment (reach trucks, low level order pickers etc) which is not always readily available, then add in that there is only a fixed number of loading bays at each depot, then you need more vehicles - you can hire more (but they are in short supply) and even if you can do this you still need people to drive them......

The biggest restriction for us, and what prevents us from throwing agency Labour at it, is that picking activity is controlled via voice commands delivered to and from a headset, and these can’t be shared at present. And the lead time on getting more is about 6-8 weeks. And then you’ve got to train people how to use them. Oh for the days of picking off bits of paper!

 

[island]

No doubt Tesco and others expended a great deal of money during the pandemic on all the paraphernalia they were expected to install and they have perhaps been looking at ways to recoup the unforeseen expenditure. Tesco in particular are merging their Metro and Express into one operation and they are all but closing down their banking arm.

This is more to do with a piece of Bank of England regulation called MREL which requires any bank that operates 80,000 or more current accounts to maintain ruinously expensive contingency facilities to be able to lift and drop their operations into a rival bank in one working day should the bank be deemed no longer able to continue in business. On top of this they need excess capital or debt which can be "bailed-in".

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

This is more to do with a piece of Bank of England regulation called MREL which requires any bank that operates 80,000 or more current accounts to maintain ruinously expensive contingency facilities to be able to lift and drop their operations into a rival bank in one working day should the bank be deemed no longer able to continue in business. On top of this they need excess capital or debt which can be "bailed-in".

Well explained.

Supermarkets and some large trading groups (John Lewis being an example) have diversified from the product range that they are well known for and at times as you describe, banking regulation does not make allowances for fairly new entrants (in comparison to established banks) who have not allowed for such contingencies.

 

[Hadders]

The biggest restriction for us, and what prevents us from throwing agency Labour at it, is that picking activity is controlled via voice commands delivered to and from a headset, and these can’t be shared at present. And the lead time on getting more is about 6-8 weeks. And then you’ve got to train people how to use them. Oh for the days of picking off bits of paper!

Yes, all of that as well. Plus the cages or totes stock is picked into. Then the same applies at all of the suppliers further up the supply chain.

 

[island]

Well explained.

Supermarkets and some large trading groups (John Lewis being an example) have diversified from the product range that they are well known for and at times as you describe, banking regulation does not make allowances for fairly new entrants (in comparison to established banks) who have not allowed for such contingencies.

As the chief risk officer of a small bank, I am most painfully aware of the failure of regulations to scale effectively with size (smiley addressed to the regulators, not to you)

 

[VauxhallandI]

As the chief risk officer of a small bank, I am most painfully aware of the failure of regulations to scale effectively with size (smiley addressed to the regulators, not to you)

Addressed to me then.....

 

[greyman42]

I noticed that Sainsbury's in York has removed all the perspex screens at its self service tills in York. I forgot to check the manned tills.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I don't know if this has been mentioned previously, but the basic "carbonated" water bottles that normally are on sale in clear plastic bottles seem to be being replaced by similar products in glass bottles.

 

[greyman42]

I don't know if this has been mentioned previously, but the basic "carbonated" water bottles that normally are on sale in clear plastic bottles seem to be being replaced by similar products in glass bottles.

I am not sure what your point is concerning Covid?

 

[dk1]

I don't know if this has been mentioned previously, but the basic "carbonated" water bottles that normally are on sale in clear plastic bottles seem to be being replaced by similar products in glass bottles.

Like being in a posh hotel room.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I am not sure what your point is concerning Covid?

Forgive me for stating the obvious, but did you notice what the title of this thread is.....Supermarket Update.

Perhaps you were thinking of something "Covid" related on a different thread.

Supply-chain of one type being replaced by a totally different supply-chain.

 

[greyman42]

It is in the Covid 19 discussion forum.

 

[Hadders]

I don't know if this has been mentioned previously, but the basic "carbonated" water bottles that normally are on sale in clear plastic bottles seem to be being replaced by similar products in glass bottles.

Can't say I've seen any evidence of standard lemonade, Coca Coca, Pepsi and other 2litre carbonated soft drinks in glass bottles.

I have seen small bottle multipacks of coca cola but these have been around for years and 'upmarket' mixer drinks (which have become very popular lately) generally do come in glass bottles glass bottles.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Can't say I've seen any evidence of standard lemonade, Coca Coca, Pepsi and other 2litre carbonated soft drinks in glass bottles.

I have seen small bottle multipacks of coca cola but these have been around for years and 'upmarket' mixer drinks (which have become very popular lately) generally do come in glass bottles glass bottles.

I do suppose it does depend on the type of store that you would normally frequent.

 

[Hadders]

I do suppose it does depend on the type of store that you would normally frequent.

I frequent all of the major supermarkets on a regular basis.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I frequent all of the major supermarkets on a regular basis.

In our "rather nice" part of Cheshire East, we do have select discerning establishments that cater for cultured tastes.....

 

[Bantamzen]

In our "rather nice" part of Cheshire East, we do have select discerning establishments that cater for cultured tastes.....

So Aldi then? And before you protest, I've seen lots of the local news stories when they have opened stores in the more "cultured" parts of Cheshire. Even the gentry of that part of the world love a bargain....

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

So Aldi then? And before you protest, I've seen lots of the local news stories when they have opened stores in the more "cultured" parts of Cheshire. Even the gentry of that part of the world love a bargain....

The water in question was Harrogate sparkling spring water in a dimpled surface effect glass bottle with a metal screw-on cap. The shop in question was neither Aldi nor Lidl, but one of a small chain of rather nice stores beginning with the letter "B" that has a very good reputation. The one in question is in Hale Barns, a nice part of the Altrincham area which will live forever as being in Cheshire in the mind of all who so reside there. My twin boys went to St Ambrose College in Hale Barns for their secondary education, prior to going on to their respective universities.

HINT : Another of one of their smaller stores is situated in the buildings at Windermere railway station.

 

[Bantamzen]

The water in question was Harrogate sparkling spring water in a dimpled surface effect glass bottle with a metal screw-on cap. The shop in question was neither Aldi nor Lidl, but one of a small chain of rather nice stores beginning with the letter "B" that has a very good reputation. The one in question is in Hale Barns, a nice part of the Altrincham area which will live forever as being in Cheshire in the mind of all who so reside there. My twin boys went to St Ambrose College in Hale Barns for their secondary education, prior to going on to their respective universities.

HINT : Another of one of their smaller stores is situated in the buildings at Windermere railway station.

If there were sufficient demand for said beverage, they would stock it. But to be honest if you are desperate for Yorkshire water, just move here! We've got the stuff on tap!

Anyway, we are drifting off topic a bit here.

 

[Hadders]

I am aware of Booths!

 

[dk1]

I am aware of Booths!

Northern Waitrose. Love calling in when I’m that way.

 

[DelayRepay]

Would anyone like to speculate on whether Waitrose will ever reinstate their free coffee? My local store still have the machines, taped off with a 'do not use' sign.

I doubt we'll see a return but the fact that the machines are still there gives me a bit of hope.

This is clearly a cost cutting measure. Morrisons, who use the same machines but charge for the coffee, never took theirs out of service.

 

[dk1]

Would anyone like to speculate on whether Waitrose will ever reinstate their free coffee? My local store still have the machines, taped off with a 'do not use' sign.

I doubt we'll see a return but the fact that the machines are still there gives me a bit of hope.

This is clearly a cost cutting measure. Morrisons, who use the same machines but charge for the coffee, never took theirs out of service.

I don’t see why not. As you say Morrison’s uses them as does Wetherspoons & self service resumed at all of theirs months ago.

 

[VauxhallandI]

The water in question was Harrogate sparkling spring water in a dimpled surface effect glass bottle with a metal screw-on cap. The shop in question was neither Aldi nor Lidl, but one of a small chain of rather nice stores beginning with the letter "B" that has a very good reputation. The one in question is in Hale Barns, a nice part of the Altrincham area which will live forever as being in Cheshire in the mind of all who so reside there. My twin boys went to St Ambrose College in Hale Barns for their secondary education, prior to going on to their respective universities.

HINT : Another of one of their smaller stores is situated in the buildings at Windermere railway station.

It was in Cheshire when I lived there?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It was in Cheshire when I lived there?

Unfortunately, being in the Borough of Trafford, it is now part of Greater Manchester. Nearby areas which are in Cheshire East are Wilmslow, Ashley, Rostherne and Mobberley.

 

[VauxhallandI]

Unfortunately, being in the Borough of Trafford, it is now part of Greater Manchester. Nearby areas which are in Cheshire East are Wilmslow, Ashley, Rostherne and Mobberley.

Yes of course however we always wrote Altrincham, Cheshire

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

Would it be possible to restrict sales of bottled water? It apparently costs 600 times more than tap water.
..
I had another unwanted encounter in the food shop recently. I was using a cart as required, waiting to pay for two items. Someone with one item (ice cream) and no cart asked if he might slip in front of me. 'No, you must to the back of the queue', I said, grr.

 

[deltic]

Would it be possible to restrict sales of bottled water? It apparently costs 600 times more than tap water.
..
I had another unwanted encounter in the food shop recently. I was using a cart as required, waiting to pay for two items. Someone with one item (ice cream) and no cart asked if he might slip in front of me. 'No, you must to the back of the queue', I said, grr.

One supermarket executive was quoted that bottled water is the first thing they drop when there is a shortage of delivery capacity given its low margin and bulkiness. Certainly in our local Sainsburys it has been fairly thin on the ground in recent weeks. There are also plenty of other gaps on the shelves and items more spread out to hide said gaps as presumably the shortage of drivers its making itself felt.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Shortage of frozen garden peas in Tesco, been that way for a couple of weeks now. Had it deleted from one order and unavailable since. Also seems to apply to several types of frozen vegetables. This week I had to order Birds Eye instead at £2.50 upwards per kg (depending on bag size) instead of the usual £0.66 per kg. The price differential between Tesco and branded products is not usually that large. They had better be good!