Lack of choice in 1980s style supermarkets
#1
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Lack of choice in 1980s style supermarkets
Dear me.
Had to go to Aldi in Lakeside Paky yesterday to complete the set of sports compression underwear for the Missus. The one in Beaconsfield did not have her size only XXXXXXL.
I also went to Coles in Lakeside.
The smallest range of choice I've ever seen in a supermarket in the civilised world. Tiny, narrow aisles. 80s look. I would not have put it past them to use those old little plastic numbers for the prices. They did not stock quail, or pheasant. No red chilli peppers, only green.
Now the Coles in Berwick which we do not go to is considered to be a good one - and pricy too and is far more modern. The Woolies in Beaconsfield we go to by default is the dog's undercarriage. Modern, swish, keeps it tight. A pleasure to use.
So there you have it - demographics, and demographic targeting in action. It's massive in Oooustraylia.
Had to go to Aldi in Lakeside Paky yesterday to complete the set of sports compression underwear for the Missus. The one in Beaconsfield did not have her size only XXXXXXL.
I also went to Coles in Lakeside.
The smallest range of choice I've ever seen in a supermarket in the civilised world. Tiny, narrow aisles. 80s look. I would not have put it past them to use those old little plastic numbers for the prices. They did not stock quail, or pheasant. No red chilli peppers, only green.
Now the Coles in Berwick which we do not go to is considered to be a good one - and pricy too and is far more modern. The Woolies in Beaconsfield we go to by default is the dog's undercarriage. Modern, swish, keeps it tight. A pleasure to use.
So there you have it - demographics, and demographic targeting in action. It's massive in Oooustraylia.
#2
Re: Lack of choice in 1980s style supermarkets
Dear me.
Had to go to Aldi in Lakeside Paky yesterday to complete the set of sports compression underwear for the Missus. The one in Beaconsfield did not have her size only XXXXXXL.
I also went to Coles in Lakeside.
The smallest range of choice I've ever seen in a supermarket in the civilised world. Tiny, narrow aisles. 80s look. I would not have put it past them to use those old little plastic numbers for the prices. They did not stock quail, or pheasant. No red chilli peppers, only green.
Now the Coles in Berwick which we do not go to is considered to be a good one - and pricy too and is far more modern. The Woolies in Beaconsfield we go to by default is the dog's undercarriage. Modern, swish, keeps it tight. A pleasure to use.
So there you have it - demographics, and demographic targeting in action. It's massive in Oooustraylia.
Had to go to Aldi in Lakeside Paky yesterday to complete the set of sports compression underwear for the Missus. The one in Beaconsfield did not have her size only XXXXXXL.
I also went to Coles in Lakeside.
The smallest range of choice I've ever seen in a supermarket in the civilised world. Tiny, narrow aisles. 80s look. I would not have put it past them to use those old little plastic numbers for the prices. They did not stock quail, or pheasant. No red chilli peppers, only green.
Now the Coles in Berwick which we do not go to is considered to be a good one - and pricy too and is far more modern. The Woolies in Beaconsfield we go to by default is the dog's undercarriage. Modern, swish, keeps it tight. A pleasure to use.
So there you have it - demographics, and demographic targeting in action. It's massive in Oooustraylia.
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
#4
Re: Lack of choice in 1980s style supermarkets
Dear me.
Had to go to Aldi in Lakeside Paky yesterday to complete the set of sports compression underwear for the Missus. The one in Beaconsfield did not have her size only XXXXXXL.
I also went to Coles in Lakeside.
The smallest range of choice I've ever seen in a supermarket in the civilised world. Tiny, narrow aisles. 80s look. I would not have put it past them to use those old little plastic numbers for the prices. They did not stock quail, or pheasant. No red chilli peppers, only green.
Now the Coles in Berwick which we do not go to is considered to be a good one - and pricy too and is far more modern. The Woolies in Beaconsfield we go to by default is the dog's undercarriage. Modern, swish, keeps it tight. A pleasure to use.
So there you have it - demographics, and demographic targeting in action. It's massive in Oooustraylia.
Had to go to Aldi in Lakeside Paky yesterday to complete the set of sports compression underwear for the Missus. The one in Beaconsfield did not have her size only XXXXXXL.
I also went to Coles in Lakeside.
The smallest range of choice I've ever seen in a supermarket in the civilised world. Tiny, narrow aisles. 80s look. I would not have put it past them to use those old little plastic numbers for the prices. They did not stock quail, or pheasant. No red chilli peppers, only green.
Now the Coles in Berwick which we do not go to is considered to be a good one - and pricy too and is far more modern. The Woolies in Beaconsfield we go to by default is the dog's undercarriage. Modern, swish, keeps it tight. A pleasure to use.
So there you have it - demographics, and demographic targeting in action. It's massive in Oooustraylia.
Joking aside, speaking of online shopping - if any of you order form Aussie Farmers Direct and don't support a charity, please click on the Alpha 1 Association of Australia as your charity and 2% of your annual sales will go to this charity. Thanks in advance if any of you use them.
Last edited by Kim67; Jun 13th 2010 at 4:23 am.
#5
Re: Lack of choice in 1980s style supermarkets
I completely agree. Go to any Coles or Woolies and you can work out the demographic of the people who shop there. Recently we popped into a Coles in one of the largest shopping malls here and were very surprised not to find the range of stock available in our local Coles - which is smaller. Thinking about it, our local Coles serves both an affluent area and an area with a huge racial mix, so we are lucky to have the best of both worlds. The Coles we popped into serves a large, predominantly white working class area.
#6
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 11,056
Re: Lack of choice in 1980s style supermarkets
I completely agree. Go to any Coles or Woolies and you can work out the demographic of the people who shop there. Recently we popped into a Coles in one of the largest shopping malls here and were very surprised not to find the range of stock available in our local Coles - which is smaller. Thinking about it, our local Coles serves both an affluent area and an area with a huge racial mix, so we are lucky to have the best of both worlds. The Coles we popped into serves a large, predominantly white working class area.
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Lack of choice in 1980s style supermarkets
I completely agree. Go to any Coles or Woolies and you can work out the demographic of the people who shop there. Recently we popped into a Coles in one of the largest shopping malls here and were very surprised not to find the range of stock available in our local Coles - which is smaller. Thinking about it, our local Coles serves both an affluent area and an area with a huge racial mix, so we are lucky to have the best of both worlds. The Coles we popped into serves a large, predominantly white working class area.
But it's only taken me 6 years to see it in action. Why so long - the fact we've only gone to one place, (and now another, infact, for the last few months).
It also explains so much of the disparity in reports.
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Lack of choice in 1980s style supermarkets
Order from Food Direct, they'll deliver your quail and red peppers to your door, all the while you can sip your cognac in front of the open fire in your smoking jacket and slippers - no having to deal with the village peasants at all.
Joking aside, speaking of online shopping - if any of you order form Aussie Farmers Direct and don't support a charity, please click on the Alpha 1 Association of Australia as your charity and 2% of your annual sales will go to this charity. Thanks in advance if any of you use them.
Joking aside, speaking of online shopping - if any of you order form Aussie Farmers Direct and don't support a charity, please click on the Alpha 1 Association of Australia as your charity and 2% of your annual sales will go to this charity. Thanks in advance if any of you use them.
#9
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,555
Re: Lack of choice in 1980s style supermarkets
Coles Bondi Junction has a Kosher aisle. The coles where I live has a larger Asian food selection and the fish is fresher. Those awful sausages are available in greater numbers as well. Westiefields here has a Lowes. Bondi Junction has Chanel, Versace and Armani.
#10
Re: Lack of choice in 1980s style supermarkets
I got into a stand-up row (yea I know, that's unusual where I'm concerned) with someone on this forum a few years back on this very subject. I listed some of the items that were available in the little IGA down the road from here and I was told I lying. So I produced photographic evidence of the produce on sale and that ended the argument fairly swiftly. As you say - demographics - large number of wealthy retirees who've escaped Sydney and are spending their retirement in the country, coupled with the best primary school for miles attracting your upwardly mobile types, coupled with a very picturesque location - and you get Quail eggs in your IGA.
When we first arrived we trawled around a lot of supermarkets to find the one we liked best and there are quite big differences. One near us has a huge range of Italian foods due to a large local Italian community, another has a lot of Asian food. We also pay less for our fruit and veg in the inner suburbs both in the supermarket and greengrocers than the outer suburbs. I assume this may be down to increased demand and competition. (We have 3 supermarkets and 2 greengrocers within one small area.)
#11
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 11,056
Re: Lack of choice in 1980s style supermarkets
And a David Jones (great authentic pork pies for sale). And don't forget Max Brenners.
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: Beyond the Black Stump
Posts: 162
Re: Lack of choice in 1980s style supermarkets
David Jones Food Hall is great for choice.
Thomas Dux is fantastic too.
Harris Farm Markets are wonderful for fresh produce
Liking Max Brenners too - ONLY just discovered it.
My local suburban very small Coles has great choice:
Lots of organic food.
Lots of Asian / Japanese food.
Huge choice for eggs - 12 different types.
Unusual fruit (i.e.) Durians.
Huge choice for a lot of things really, given how small it is.
Just discovered some great delis in Mona Vale too.
Suppose it depends where you live.
Thomas Dux is fantastic too.
Harris Farm Markets are wonderful for fresh produce
Liking Max Brenners too - ONLY just discovered it.
My local suburban very small Coles has great choice:
Lots of organic food.
Lots of Asian / Japanese food.
Huge choice for eggs - 12 different types.
Unusual fruit (i.e.) Durians.
Huge choice for a lot of things really, given how small it is.
Just discovered some great delis in Mona Vale too.
Suppose it depends where you live.
#13
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Re: Lack of choice in 1980s style supermarkets
Sure does. We hardly ever shop at Coles or Woolies. Thomas Dux has fantastic fresh produce but was better for other things when it was Macro. (Yes I know Woolies bought out Macro to turn into Dux - that's probably why most of the dry stock is now crap.)
We're moving south of the border this week and our local shop is a Spar
We're moving south of the border this week and our local shop is a Spar
#15
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Re: Lack of choice in 1980s style supermarkets
We used to live in an area with a road full of fruit stalls. During durian season even going along it in a taxi was a health risk.