>>The word on the street...
Consumers have a love-hate relationship with supermarkets, as retail consultancy ID Magasin discovered when it ventured out onto Britain’s streets last weekend to ask shoppers whether they trust the hands that feed them. Judging by their responses, this is clearly an issue about which consumers have some pretty strong views
Do you trust supermarkets?
No.
Why not?
Because I have watched TV documentaries like Watchdog talking about things like chicken nuggets and there is so little meat in them. And there are so many other ingredients in foods that shouldn’t be there. I am more likely to trust a TV programme than a supermarket.
Does your distrust stop you using supermarkets?
No. I do use them because I feel I don’t have an alternative, although I am careful about what I buy and if it’s not too difficult, I’ll prepare a meal from fresh ingredients.
Do supermarkets have too much power?
In terms of controlling prices, no, because I have a choice of which supermarket to use. However, I’d love to have an Asda, instead of the two Sainsbury stores, near me. It’s convenient for me to go to one place for everything rather than visit separate bakers, butchers and greengrocers.
Do you trust supermarkets?
I don’t trust them. They are only interested in selling products for the lowest price. Quality doesn’t come into it, particularly for own label products. There are things I will buy and things I won’t buy from supermarkets. With time to shop I would prefer to buy meat from somewhere like Waitrose, but for basics I’m happy at Asda.
Why do you prefer to buy meat from Waitrose instead of Asda?
Quality. Waitrose takes more care over this kind of produce and I’m prepared to pay more for quality. What’s important isn’t whether it’s cheap, but whether it’s value.
Do supermarkets have too much power?
Yes.
In what way?
They squeeze their suppliers, which does give the public cheaper prices, but the suppliers’ margins are lower. I don’t believe the downwards pressure on suppliers is geared towards improving quality to consumers - I think the result is poorer quality. I’d like to see more organic produce and I’d be prepared to pay more for it, especially if I knew suppliers were getting a fair crack at the whip.
Do you trust supermarkets?
I trust some of them, like Sainsbury, but some, like Morrisons, have food that is beyond its sell-by date and some of the own label stuff doesn’t taste very nice.
Do supermarkets have too much power?
I don’t really know about that. I just shop where I want and when I feel like it. I don’t really pay much attention to them
Do you trust supermarkets?
No.
Why not?
They have too much of a monopoly over prices and regularly outprice local grocers and shops in a bid to squeeze them out. I am also suspicious of claims that workers in poor countries are not exploited.
Does this stop you shopping at supermarkets?
No. Where else can I buy my food? Ultimately the prices are cheaper and everything is under one roof at a supermarket. Financial and time constraints mean I’m left with no real choice.
Do you think the supermarkets have too much power?
Yes. I have already mentioned that they are able to outprice local grocers and shops. In addition to that, the advent of e-commerce and the diversification of the supermarkets into other sectors such as insurance, holidays, electrical goods and books have given them more power today than ever before.
Phaik 34, London
Rory 39, Hatfield
Daniel 21, Leeds
Neil 25, Reading
Consumers have a love-hate relationship with supermarkets, as retail consultancy ID Magasin discovered when it ventured out onto Britain’s streets last weekend to ask shoppers whether they trust the hands that feed them. Judging by their responses, this is clearly an issue about which consumers have some pretty strong views
Do you trust supermarkets?
No.
Why not?
Because I have watched TV documentaries like Watchdog talking about things like chicken nuggets and there is so little meat in them. And there are so many other ingredients in foods that shouldn’t be there. I am more likely to trust a TV programme than a supermarket.
Does your distrust stop you using supermarkets?
No. I do use them because I feel I don’t have an alternative, although I am careful about what I buy and if it’s not too difficult, I’ll prepare a meal from fresh ingredients.
Do supermarkets have too much power?
In terms of controlling prices, no, because I have a choice of which supermarket to use. However, I’d love to have an Asda, instead of the two Sainsbury stores, near me. It’s convenient for me to go to one place for everything rather than visit separate bakers, butchers and greengrocers.
Do you trust supermarkets?
I don’t trust them. They are only interested in selling products for the lowest price. Quality doesn’t come into it, particularly for own label products. There are things I will buy and things I won’t buy from supermarkets. With time to shop I would prefer to buy meat from somewhere like Waitrose, but for basics I’m happy at Asda.
Why do you prefer to buy meat from Waitrose instead of Asda?
Quality. Waitrose takes more care over this kind of produce and I’m prepared to pay more for quality. What’s important isn’t whether it’s cheap, but whether it’s value.
Do supermarkets have too much power?
Yes.
In what way?
They squeeze their suppliers, which does give the public cheaper prices, but the suppliers’ margins are lower. I don’t believe the downwards pressure on suppliers is geared towards improving quality to consumers - I think the result is poorer quality. I’d like to see more organic produce and I’d be prepared to pay more for it, especially if I knew suppliers were getting a fair crack at the whip.
Do you trust supermarkets?
I trust some of them, like Sainsbury, but some, like Morrisons, have food that is beyond its sell-by date and some of the own label stuff doesn’t taste very nice.
Do supermarkets have too much power?
I don’t really know about that. I just shop where I want and when I feel like it. I don’t really pay much attention to them
Do you trust supermarkets?
No.
Why not?
They have too much of a monopoly over prices and regularly outprice local grocers and shops in a bid to squeeze them out. I am also suspicious of claims that workers in poor countries are not exploited.
Does this stop you shopping at supermarkets?
No. Where else can I buy my food? Ultimately the prices are cheaper and everything is under one roof at a supermarket. Financial and time constraints mean I’m left with no real choice.
Do you think the supermarkets have too much power?
Yes. I have already mentioned that they are able to outprice local grocers and shops. In addition to that, the advent of e-commerce and the diversification of the supermarkets into other sectors such as insurance, holidays, electrical goods and books have given them more power today than ever before.
Phaik 34, London
Rory 39, Hatfield
Daniel 21, Leeds
Neil 25, Reading
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