Morrisons Price War Begins?

Clem_Fandango

A._Badger wrote: »

I'm quite surprised by the animus being shown towards Morrison's. We're used to the Tescophobes and the Aldiphiles on this forum, but as someone who consciously switched to Morrison's from Tesco and Sainsbury's a year or so ago, but who still looks into the other two now and then, I am certain Morrison's offers better prices - certainly than Sainsbiury's which is what I would call he real supermarket king of rip-off. Tesco is harder to directly compare because of its habitually confusing price tactics. I'm sure I spend no more in Morrison's than I did there, however.

There are reasons to dislike Morrison's (its store layout is almost as comical as Aldi's and Lidl's, its "bakery" output is cheap and nasty and, whatever it claims, its fish is as bad as the rest,) but its meat is far better than that from the other the major supermarkets and I don't find it tries to pull the pricing tricks that Tesco does.

I doubt its new scheme will have much impact on Aldi and Lidl customers, though. There's more going on there than just bargain hunting.

I actually think Morrisons years ago had some of the cleanest pricing of the 'Big 4' which is why they need to be open about what they are up to with this move. If this is seen to be a gimmick (like Tesco over recent years), then they could really lose out quicker and deeper.

But they have had fair warning in this part of the country. In just 18 months we have 2 x Aldi and 1 x Lidl open on their doorsteps. Rather than fundamentally addressing prices then, Morrisons response was to install some 'mist spray' over the fruit and veg - pure pantomime in my opinion and that is when they lost me (as well as those terrible Ant + Dec adverts).

You're right - there's more going on. Not just Morrisons, but Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury need to decide which way to go and in part as a thankyou for shaking things up, I'll keep going to Aldi/Lidl (+ they do actually sell quite a lot of good food if you take off your brand blinkers).

A._Badger

Clem_Fandango wrote: »

You're right - there's more going on. Not just Morrisons, but Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury need to decide which way to go and in part as a thankyou for shaking things up, I'll keep going to Aldi/Lidl (+ they do actually sell quite a lot of good food if you take off your brand blinkers).

You have to be very selective in Aldi, I find (I can't speak for Lidl - we don't have one locally). I visit Aldi once a month and if I am very careful what I buy, there are undoubtedly some excellent bargains to be had. There is also a marked lack of choice, quite a lot of tat and some pretty average knock-offs (awaits howls of rage and a shower of abuse).

But yes, it (and Lidl) have certainly shaken-up the market.

DPJames

geordie_joe wrote: »

Yes, I'm sure.

Ahh, but are you sure you're sure?

I realise you're one of those people who's never wrong about anything.
But I have read quite a number of articles specifically highlighting the decreased footfall in all the big supermarkets. Which I think means less customers entering (however I'm obviously thick, and undoubtedly wrong). And Morrisons seems to be losing out the most at the moment.

But thinking about it, those journalists and editors were all probably wrong too, and you're right Geordie. Morrisons haven't lost any customers at all and this new tactic of theirs is just a simple good Will gesture, nothing else. Certainly not a campaign to claw customers back from Asda, Lidl, or wherever they all went. Because they don't need to. They haven't lost any customers at all, have they?

Scritti

I can hear you, Clem Fandango!

Scritti

DPJames wrote: »

Ahh, but are you sure you're sure?

I realise you're one of those people who's never wrong about anything.

Geordie Joe is NEVER wrong. His opinions are never opinions, they are facts!

In fact, I've stopped reading, listening and learning anything these days, I just wait for GJ (as he's known to his loyal followers) to pronounce the truth so I can know what's really going on in the world.

I so envy his lucky family members. To have access to his unending knowledge on everything 24/7 would be heaven.

God bless you, GJ!!

Lynsey

I think a few years back, the BIG 4 (at least) started using more and more the same type of "mis-leading price marketing" similar to MFI (remember them?), Carpetright, Oakfurnitureland, Officers Club et al.

Aldi and Lidl were and are more "honest" and do not "manipulate" their product prices as much. Yes, they creep up a few pence, but don't double one week and half the next (with a fanfare).

It's worked for the BIG 4 in the past, but I believe (possibly the recession has highlighted money-saving) that shoppers are very much more savvy now and want to take on the challenge. They know they have been "conned" in the past and will no longer be "conned" or tricked (to tone it down a little).

The BIG 4 need to try and create "customer loyalty", but it won't be easy as they are now "wounded", they have been "caught out". They will never create "customer loyalty" long term by trying to cheat their customers by treating them as "fools". They can try and try and no doubt they will, but they won't succeed if they continue "manipulating".

Yes, Aldi and Lidl have gained over these last few years and are opening up more stores near to the BIG 4 an taking them on - David v Goliaths (if you like). Others like Farmfood's, Heron, B&M's, Home Bargains etc have also taken away a little of the BIG 4's market.

Just my view BTW and not fact.

Happy shopping and long may any "true pricing wars" continue. They can hit each other on the head with sticks all day for myself. No, make that iron bars. lol

Lynsey

Nada666

Although some may object to Pringles-isation of prices through false half-price offers there is little evidence customers resist multi-buys. Even M&S have stooped to doing this - but it is working for them. Little evidence of Morrison's or Tesco's abandoning that aspect.

DPJames

'Pringles-isation'. Love it!

Ken68

Of the three supermarkets I visited yesterday, Morrisons had the hardest to read unit pricing. (Aldi was the cleanest and cheapest)

lovingtescoforever

http://m.thegrocer.co.uk/357083.article?mobilesite=enabled

Last paragraph they are watching lol