How Competitive are the Major Supermarkets?

HENLEY-ON-THAMES, England, November 19 - Do we save money by driving to the so-called cheapest supermarket
shopping choice? Not always it would seem. That's why deli wholesaler
( www.cotswold-fayre.co.uk/ ) Cotswold Fayre is exposing the myth that
supermarkets are cheaper. Consider Asda's recent announcement that a list of
selected items would all be sold at a fixed price of one pound each. Then it
turns out that almost one in five of the items were selling below one pound
before the offer. But that didn't make any difference… the punters flocked
in their usual thousands to take advantage of this "great offer" and at the
same time spend much more on all the other temptations put in their way. The
anomaly in the offer was exposed in the Grocer Magazine (August 1st 2009), a
trade publication not seen by the general public.

When going into a supermarket to shop we almost inevitably come out with
many more items than we intended to buy. That's how the big retail chains do
it. It's nothing new; the trade term is a "loss leader" a more realistic and
down to earth description would be "a sprat to catch a mackerel".

So why don't we mackerels take another look at the independent food
shops, we might even save some money. The range of shops in the independent
sector is breathtaking, great delicatessens, wine stores, retailers that sell
the best coffee and tea around and of course genuine health food stores.
Interestingly, the market share of the independent sector is rising. So there
might be some logic in following this new trend by starting to visit your
local deli. Fruit and vegetables will be cheaper in many independent stores
and fresh meat will be what it says it is. It's doubtful if the ham and
chicken will be bulked up with water to increase weight and volume either.

Why are organic foods being dropped by the supermarkets? Is it because
the organic producers won't be bullied into loss making deals? One could be
forgiven for thinking that corporate retailers are dumbing down the choices
to appear to always be cheaper. Cheap food should be cheap - it hasn't got
anything else going for it.

Cotswold Fayre is a deli wholesaler that supplies excellent organic and
gourmet food to local delis, including savoury snacks, chutneys and pickles.
These independent shops won't sell one item below cost and then inflate 10
others to make up the loss. But they will offer a fantastic range of food and
beverage products supplied by Cotswold Fayre, one of the best delicatessen
suppliers in the UK. Visit the website to browse a whole range of products
sourced from all over the UK and Europe:

www.cotswold-fayre.co.uk/specialitybites/2009/11/supermarkets/

Customer Loyalty

For regular customers, Cotswold Fayre is also running a customer loyalty
scheme where customers will have the opportunity to win days out and even
holidays.

About Cotswold Fayre

Further information about Cotswold Fayre can be obtained from the
website, the most comprehensive trade website for speciality food in the UK,
and from Paul Hargreaves' blog, Speciality Bites. The product range is also
available to the public via orders from the sister company Real Food Direct.

For further information on Cotswold Fayre, its products and services
please contact MD Paul Hargreaves of Cotswold Fayre Ltd, Units 9-11, Manor
Farm, Peppard Common, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 5LA. Tel: +44(0)8456-121201,
Email: paul@cotswold-fayre.co.uk

For further information on Cotswold Fayre, its products and services please contact MD Paul Hargreaves of Cotswold Fayre Ltd, Units 9-11, Manor Farm, Peppard Common, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 5LA. Tel: +44(0)8456-121201, Email: paul at cotswold-fayre.co.uk