Complaint about a local grocery store

Sue52

I hope this in the right forum, I want to complain about a local independent grocery store, their prices are just out of this world, especially on alcohol. Does anyone know who I complain to?

CynicalScotsman

The owner??? :rotfl:
Who else would you complain to?
If he/she wants to charge £5 for cheapo cider rather than 99p he/she can.
Asda do a smartprice alcohol range

Sue52

Already tried that, the shop is actually my dad's local store, he is 82 years old and buys from there because it is convenient, what price convenience? I just don't like to see old people being taken advantage of because they can't get to places like Asda.

Malory

He can order online from Asda, or you can order for him, and have food delivered.

The shopowner can charge what they want.

Their costs are probably higher than Asda because they can't afford to, and don't have space for, buying in such large quantities.

They have bills to pay, possibly debts to pay off, and probably a family to support as well.

Should they reduce their prices and possibly take a loss just to make things easier for your dad?

BTW, alcohol is not exactly a necessity.

david39

I agree with Mallory.

If the prices at the local shop are so far adrift, then the rest of the neighbourhood would stop buying there.

If shops charge so much that they alienate their customer-base, they go out of business. That's why HMV are closing 60 branches - their in-shop prices are too high compared with other retail outlets (including supermarkets and even their own on-line operation).

Presumably this corner shop is remaining in business by matching his price levels with what his local community are prepared to pay.
That's good business, not ripping people off.

If you feel so badly about it, why not pick up your father's favourite tipple from a supermarket while you're out shopping for yourself and drop it round to him?

Sue52

Thanks Mallory and David for your comments. I do appreciate everything you are saying, I do help my father out with his shopping when I can but unfortunately am not always physically able. I was giving alcohol as a "for instance", he does buy some groceries it is just that say on 4 cans of lager £3 more for the same thing does seem excessive to me. I would also like to say that I am not comparing prices with major supermarkets but other independent shops. Thanks for your help anyway.