2020 Retailers in trouble thread

2020 Retailers in trouble thread

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jammy-git

29,778 posts

213 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
eldar said:
surveyor said:
Internet retail tax will send US off the deep end.

However a surcharge on large distribution depots rating assessments paying for increased allowances on high street rating assessments may make some difference.

Ultimately though it's high street rents that are too high. Problem is the adjustment is painful to landlords and pension institutions.
I suspect too many local councils are wedded to the pre online days when they had a monopoly.

They are finding it difficult to adapt to the realities of today.
I completely agree with surveyor. The high street rents and rates are too high. Both need to be lowered to make it viable for little independents to open up, offering niche products and expertise that can be hard to find on the high street.

No amount of taxing this or that will address the root cause of those rents and rates.

surveyor

17,845 posts

185 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
eldar said:
surveyor said:
Internet retail tax will send US off the deep end.

However a surcharge on large distribution depots rating assessments paying for increased allowances on high street rating assessments may make some difference.

Ultimately though it's high street rents that are too high. Problem is the adjustment is painful to landlords and pension institutions.
I suspect too many local councils are wedded to the pre online days when they had a monopoly.

They are finding it difficult to adapt to the realities of today.
Business rates are set by National government. Local Councils just do the billing...

eldar

21,801 posts

197 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
surveyor said:
Business rates are set by National government. Local Councils just do the billing...
Indeed, but local councils control access and operating conditions.

surveyor

17,845 posts

185 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
eldar said:
surveyor said:
Business rates are set by National government. Local Councils just do the billing...
Indeed, but local councils control access and operating conditions.
huh, come again?

oyster

12,609 posts

249 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
The easy way to support SMEs on the high street is to raise the VAT threshold from the current £85k (ish) to more like £1m.

PF62

3,659 posts

174 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
oyster said:
The easy way to support SMEs on the high street is to raise the VAT threshold from the current £85k (ish) to more like £1m.
Or cut it to zero.

eldar

21,801 posts

197 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
surveyor said:
huh, come again?
Parking, planning, public transport. etc.

The means of giving punters access to the shops. Or all too commonly, obstructing access.

ARHarh

3,778 posts

108 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
snuffy said:
Good point. I will not enter any shop that does not display it's prices.

I actually made that mistake about 2 years ago, going into a tiny independent jewelers where no prices were displayed. I wanted a ring for the missus. The bloke was a total arse, implying that I could not afford what I wanted. I can afford it mate, I'm just not buying anything from you.
Good point. My missus will not enter a shop with no prices, i have no problem in asking and telling then they are having a laugh, if I think its too expensive. Mind I will ask for a discount just about anywhere. Even thought about it in Tesco's. The Butchers I use is always busy. Been using it for 8 years, visits once a month. They have everything priced, prices are good, often on par with the supermarkets. All meat is local, often from within a few miles. They make their own sausages, pies burgers etc I go on a weekday so the quiet times, and I have yet to go there when there is not a queue. They do delivery as well, even deliver for free to the local OAP's. Proper service works.

bad company

18,642 posts

267 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
ARHarh said:
Good point. My missus will not enter a shop with no prices, i have no problem in asking and telling then they are having a laugh, if I think its too expensive. Mind I will ask for a discount just about anywhere. Even thought about it in Tesco's. The Butchers I use is always busy. Been using it for 8 years, visits once a month. They have everything priced, prices are good, often on par with the supermarkets. All meat is local, often from within a few miles. They make their own sausages, pies burgers etc I go on a weekday so the quiet times, and I have yet to go there when there is not a queue. They do delivery as well, even deliver for free to the local OAP's. Proper service works.
I asked for and got discounts in Harrods and Selfridges when buying watches. In both cases of course I was dealing with a shop within a shop.

Thankyou4calling

10,610 posts

174 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
A butcher (high end) opened near me in Twickenham. One of those where they hang the cows in refrigerators in the window. Called the Meat room.

Nicely fitted , would’ve cost a fair bit.

It closed within 6 months.

I think lots like the idea of going into town on a Pashley bike with a wicker basket visiting the ruddy faced butcher, cockney fruit vendor and craft baker.

Alas a Lidl opens and reality dawns.

It costs twice as much and it’s a ball ache to shop.

snuffy

9,804 posts

285 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
Thankyou4calling said:
I think lots like the idea of going into town on a Pashley bike with a wicker basket visiting the ruddy faced butcher, cockney fruit vendor and craft baker.

Alas a Lidl opens and reality dawns.
Indeed. People like the idea, right up until the point of getting their wallet or purse out, then they are not quite as keen.


Gweeds

7,954 posts

53 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
Getting companies like Amazon to actually pay decent amounts of tax would be a start.

It’s a lack of political will. They’re doing what they’re allowed to. So stop them being able to.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

225 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
Thankyou4calling said:
A butcher (high end) opened near me in Twickenham. One of those where they hang the cows in refrigerators in the window. Called the Meat room.

Nicely fitted , would’ve cost a fair bit.

It closed within 6 months.

I think lots like the idea of going into town on a Pashley bike with a wicker basket visiting the ruddy faced butcher, cockney fruit vendor and craft baker.

Alas a Lidl opens and reality dawns.

It costs twice as much and it’s a ball ache to shop.
It has also got to be as easy as it is to park in the Lidl car park 10m from the door.

People are lazy, local councils restrict people parking outside the butcher and then wonder why they don't use them.

worsy

5,813 posts

176 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
snuffy said:
Thankyou4calling said:
I think lots like the idea of going into town on a Pashley bike with a wicker basket visiting the ruddy faced butcher, cockney fruit vendor and craft baker.

Alas a Lidl opens and reality dawns.
Indeed. People like the idea, right up until the point of getting their wallet or purse out, then they are not quite as keen.
I get the point, however over lockdown, having no social life and being presented by with some inedible supermarket crap we started to use our local farm shop. Never say never but the quality is far superior and I hope not to go back to supermarket cuts.

Prolex-UK

3,068 posts

209 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
worsy said:
snuffy said:
Thankyou4calling said:
I think lots like the idea of going into town on a Pashley bike with a wicker basket visiting the ruddy faced butcher, cockney fruit vendor and craft baker.

Alas a Lidl opens and reality dawns.
Indeed. People like the idea, right up until the point of getting their wallet or purse out, then they are not quite as keen.
I get the point, however over lockdown, having no social life and being presented by with some inedible supermarket crap we started to use our local farm shop. Never say never but the quality is far superior and I hope not to go back to supermarket cuts.
Same here

Bit dearer but lovely flavour

Will stick with it from now on

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

225 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
worsy said:
I get the point, however over lockdown, having no social life and being presented by with some inedible supermarket crap we started to use our local farm shop. Never say never but the quality is far superior and I hope not to go back to supermarket cuts.
We have too, but it makes it easy that you can park outside.

My butcher is just as good, but no parking so you have to go into the car park to use him, hence I don't bother.

Tlandcruiser

2,788 posts

199 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
The problem is A majority of people decide on price, rather than the experience and quality.

Weatherspoons and Ryanair caused a storm on social media regarding their treatment of staff during lockdown etc, calls of boycotting etc. As soon as weatherspoons opened, the outrage of the treatment of their staff was soon forgotten and the pubs were full.


snuffy

9,804 posts

285 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
worsy said:
I get the point, however over lockdown, having no social life and being presented by with some inedible supermarket crap we started to use our local farm shop. Never say never but the quality is far superior and I hope not to go back to supermarket cuts.
I think I may have posted this before on here, but I can't remember. Still, it illustrates the point:

https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/whats-on/food-drin...


PF62

3,659 posts

174 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
snuffy said:
worsy said:
I get the point, however over lockdown, having no social life and being presented by with some inedible supermarket crap we started to use our local farm shop. Never say never but the quality is far superior and I hope not to go back to supermarket cuts.
I think I may have posted this before on here, but I can't remember. Still, it illustrates the point:

https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/whats-on/food-drin...
It does -

cheshire-live said:
Jason and his team at Hoole Food Market have been working hard to provide locals with a credible and affordable alternative to food in a supermarket, working six days a week from 8am-5.30pm.
So now people are going back to work and can't pop in to do their shopping between 8am-5.30pm so are going to the supermarket that is actually open when they want to shop.

When will the penny drop for independents?

monkfish1

11,113 posts

225 months

Tuesday 7th July 2020
quotequote all
eldar said:
surveyor said:
huh, come again?
Or all too commonly, obstructing access.
This^^^^^

deliberatley making life as difficult as possible. One of the few things councils excel at.
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