topic Re: ALDI COSTCO etc in Community Spirit

ALDI COSTCO etc

donnashuggy — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 07:10:57 GMT

This might be old news however for lots of reasons I think it is worth discussing

http://www.dicksmithfoods.com.au/media/press-releases/aldis-lower-prices-you-lose-your-freedom

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

creative*crisis — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 07:18:08 GMT

Interesting and thought provoking read thank you.

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

gleee58 — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 07:41:40 GMT

@donnashuggy wrote:
This might be old news however for lots of reasons I think it is worth discussing

http://www.dicksmithfoods.com.au/media/press-releases/aldis-lower-prices-you-lose-your-freedom

I find it hard to take Dick Smith seriously when he starts to campaign about such issues. He seems to be full of contradiction. I don't mind Aldi for a selection of items, although as we don't have a local one here I miss it for now, but not much use for many products.

Costco is an entirely different type of store. Unless you have a large family it's not that crash hot as a grocery store because nearly everything is packed in huge packets. Like who needs a 5kg tub of margarine or a pizza the size of a table top?

Yep, some might want the huge diamond in their engagement ring but who wants to spend 10 grand on an engagement ring at the supermarket?

Imagine the romance: She gets a seat and orders the coffee while he drops the car in for tyres. Then he comes back with a surprise proposal in the food hall, presenting her with her lovely ring, in front of all the interested grocery shoppers, before she sets off to buy him the latest 3D 4K TV as an engagement present. Then they could both wander off to get their eyes tested for new glasses, buy a fridge and a washing machine, sheets and towels, while the tyre changers are wondering when they'll return for the car..

All that without leaving Costco.

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

ufo_investigations — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 07:42:00 GMT

Coles and Woolworths have no loyalty to Australians anyway, their cheeses are mostly halal like a lot of other products they stock. Halal is an islamic sharia law requirement for muslims and I have no interest in these products. We have been betrayed so why be loyal to them, no way.

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

donnashuggy — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 07:46:37 GMT

Muslims and Jews ARE australian

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

the_great_she_elephant — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 07:47:18 GMT

@ufo_investigations wrote:
Coles and Woolworths have no loyalty to Australians anyway, their cheeses are mostly halal like a lot of other products they stock. Halal is an islamic sharia law requirement for muslims and I have no interest in these products. We have been betrayed so why be loyal to them, no way.

Is there such a thing as haram (non halal) cheese?

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

ufo_investigations — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 07:51:25 GMT

@the_great_she_elephant wrote:
@ufo_investigations wrote:
Coles and Woolworths have no loyalty to Australians anyway, their cheeses are mostly halal like a lot of other products they stock. Halal is an islamic sharia law requirement for muslims and I have no interest in these products. We have been betrayed so why be loyal to them, no way.
Is there such a thing as haram (non halal) cheese?

I don't think Coles and Woolworths have any.

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

lurker172602 — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 07:52:46 GMT

Oh please, let's not go down that road again 😞

Is Dick Smiths main objection that Aldi and Costco are foreign owned or their low cost business model? There would be nothing to stop an Australian company adopting their model would there? Is that what he is building up to maybe?

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

debra9275 — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 07:54:08 GMT

Thanks Donna, that was an interesting read. It prompted me to google "China food bowl" ( can't post any links here ATm) but I can only hope that all the farms that have been sold to Chinese investors aren't growing fruit and veggies in the traditional Chinese way as per your other thread 😨

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

donnashuggy — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 07:56:31 GMT

It is a fair gripe to complain about choice and the race to the bottom

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

creative*crisis — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 08:01:17 GMT

That would be one time i would be happy to see tradition put aside

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

debra9275 — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 08:06:35 GMT

Me too... There is an article on "arid" land in (I think it was WA) where a chinese farmer plans to grow vegetables, that awful thought of tradition did cross my mind

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

cherry*135 — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 11:07:47 GMT

It is good there is competition for Woolies & Coles in the grocery lines especially, like Aldi & Costco.. if there wasn't, we would be paying more for our groceries in Coles & Woolies.

Let the customer decide where they will shop.

Jan 23, 2015

Supermarket giant Coles has been convicted of two criminal offences in a Queensland court over an ‘isolated incident’ involving faulty weighing equipment and inaccurate meat packaging.

The supermarket pled guilty on 15 January to offences under national measurement law, which ensures that consumers get everything they pay for. Faulty weighing machine and the other offence relating to the incorrectly packaged steaks — and was fined a total of $3,000 and ordered to pay legal costs.

The offences were strict liability, which meant the magistrate had no choice but to impose a criminal conviction regardless of whether or not the crimes committed at the supermarket’s Coolum outlet were accidental.

In December last year, Coles was fined almost $12 million after admitting to having “crossed the line” by making threats and demands for money from suppliers.

Dec 2014

Woolworths

The Australian Food and Grocery Council says there is widespread concern about claims Woolworths is bullying suppliers.

Suppliers are being told to make up the difference on products that Woolworths has decided to sell at a discount, Mr Dawson said.

The council has heard from a range of suppliers who have been asked to pay amounts ranging from $70,000 to more than $1.5 million.

They are concerned their products will be pulled off the shelves if they do not pay up, Mr Dawson

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

lind9650 — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 11:49:37 GMT

We don't have Coles or Woolworth in our town, only IGA. The next town is a 15minute drive away and has IGA and SAFEWAYS. about a couple of month ago ALDI opened in that town. I had to go to the Optometrist and asked my husband to take me to ALDI to do our grocery shopping.

Surprise, surprise, not much on variety to choose from. Even bread and milk had lables I have never seen before. Vegetables and fruit were not much cheaper than our local IGA and did not look half as good. Meat was all pre packed, but nothing suitable for only one or two people and no personal Deli counter.

Some of their frozen meals are much cheaper. I bought a couple of things to try and they tasted awful. What is the good of saving money if you can not eat their stuff?

At home I can ask the IGA butcher to cut me a certain piece of meat or order his Silverside for the weekend. I don't like the pre-packed Silverside covered in all that slimy red gunk. I can ask the Deli girl to give me 200g of this or that and get it with a smile.

ALDI was not a good experience for me and the prices were not much cheaper than what I pay at home. So for what I am concerned, they can sit there in the next town. Won't bother to visit again. To much hype about nothing.

Erica

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

evil_akuma_2002 — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 19:33:10 GMT

@lind9650 wrote:
We don't have Coles or Woolworth in our town, only IGA. The next town is a 15minute drive away and has IGA and SAFEWAYS. about a couple of month ago ALDI opened in that town. I had to go to the Optometrist and asked my husband to take me to ALDI to do our grocery shopping.
Surprise, surprise, not much on variety to choose from. Even bread and milk had lables I have never seen before. Vegetables and fruit were not much cheaper than our local IGA and did not look half as good. Meat was all pre packed, but nothing suitable for only one or two people and no personal Deli counter.
Some of their frozen meals are much cheaper. I bought a couple of things to try and they tasted awful. What is the good of saving money if you can not eat their stuff?
At home I can ask the IGA butcher to cut me a certain piece of meat or order his Silverside for the weekend. I don't like the pre-packed Silverside covered in all that slimy red gunk. I can ask the Deli girl to give me 200g of this or that and get it with a smile.

ALDI was not a good experience for me and the prices were not much cheaper than what I pay at home. So for what I am concerned, they can sit there in the next town. Won't bother to visit again. To much hype about nothing.

Erica

Too true. Every packaged food item I've purchased from Aldi was awful. For me, their only saving graces are their homewares and tool specials - usually good quality and cheap. I don't even bother with their food products anymore. Fresh fruit's OK - bit hard to get dodgy fresh fruit.

And as for Costco - my recently-married son, who's on a strict budget, decided to purchase a membership for Costco, as he felt that the savings would more than offset the cost. He and his wife spent less than an hour wandering around the newly-opened store, only to return their membership for a refund!

His reasoning?

Bulk meat trays. 3-5 kilos. All expiring within 2-3 days.

Tea bags. Buy in bulk, 5 X 100 bags, save approx' 50c against buying elsewhere in individual 100 lots.

And so on and so on.

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

k0llectable5 — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 21:23:17 GMT

Yeah as cc said that was a very interesting article. Dick says a couple of times in the article that Aldi only employ 3 or 4 people per store. I havent done a search but that sounds very low to me. How could 3 or 4 people possibly serve all those customers and keep the store shelves packed, receive deliveries, keep orders up to date ect,ect all in one day?

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 21:31:00 GMT

@the_great_she_elephant wrote:
@ufo_investigations wrote:
Coles and Woolworths have no loyalty to Australians anyway, their cheeses are mostly halal like a lot of other products they stock. Halal is an islamic sharia law requirement for muslims and I have no interest in these products. We have been betrayed so why be loyal to them, no way.
Is there such a thing as haram (non halal) cheese?

100% Grated Parmesan Cheese

Haram

Great Value

100% Grated Pramesan Cheese, Three Cheese, Reduced Fat Grated Pramesan Cheese

Haram

Kraft

4 Cheeses Mexican, 4 State Cheeses, Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Haram

Sargento

All Natural 4 Cheeses Mexican 2.5 Lbs

Haram

Kirkland Signature(costco Brand)

All Natural Coby/jack Cheese 2 Lbs

Haram

Kirkland Signature(costco Brand)

All Natural Sharp Cheddar Cheese 2 Lbs

Haram

Kirkland Signature(costco Brand)

All Natural Sharp Cheddar Cheese 2 Lbs

Haram

Kirkland Signature(costco Brand)

All Natural Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese5 Lbs

Haram

Kirkland Signature(costco Brand)

Cabot Sharp Extra Light Cheddar Cheese

Haram

Cabot

Charge Head String Cheese

Haram

Frigo

Cheese Head Swirl, String Cheese, All Cheese Head Swirl Cheeses

Haram

Frigo

Cheese Melt

Haram

Pace

Deluxe American Cheese Slices 5 Lbs

Haram

Kirkland Signature(costco Brand)

Deluxe American Cheese Slices Pateurized Process Cheese

Haram

Great Value

Kraft All Single Cheeses

Haram

Kraft

Kraft Big Slices

Haram

Kraft

Kraft Swiss Cheese

Haram

Kraft

Mexican Taco, Fresh Talk Italian, Fresh Talk Parmesan, All Fresh Talk Cheeses

Haram

Kraft

Natural Cheddar/jack Cheese 5 Lbs

Haram

Kirkland Signature(costco Brand)

Parmesan Cheese

Haram

Mame

Pepper Jack Cheese, Colby Jack Cheese, Chef Blend Taco Cheese, Cheddar Jack Cheese

Haram

Sargento

Pizza Mazzarella , Phildelphia Mozzarella, Italian Foour Cheese

Haram

Kraft

Premium Snack Cheese, Pepper Jack Cheese, Wisconsin Colby Jack Cheese

Haram

Frigo

Reduced Fat Mozzarella Cheese, Mozareela Cheese, 6 Cheeses Italian

Haram

Sargento

Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Light String Cheese, Double Cheese, Cheddar Mozzarella Cheese

Haram

Sargento

Romano, Asiago, Artisan Blends Shredded Parmesan & Romano Cheese, Chef Blends Shredded 6 Cheese Ital

Haram

Sargento

Shredded Low Moisture Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese, Chipotle, Jalapeno White Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar

Haram

Kraft

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Shredded Pizza Cheese, Taco Cheese

Haram

Great Value

Single American Cheese

Haram

Borden

Slices Original Cheese, Slicessharp Cheddar Cheese

Haram

Velveeta

Smoked Flavor String Cheese

Haram

Weight Watchers

Squezable Nacho Cheese

Haram

Ricos

Ultra Thin Mild Cheddar Cheese, Swiss Cheese

Haram

Sargento

Velveeta Shredded Fat Free Cheddar Cheese, Triple Cheese, Three Cheese Mexican, Shredded Sharp Chedd

Haram

Velveeta (kraft)

Wisconsin Cheese, Light Wisconsin Cheese

Haram

Crystal Farm

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

softail-joanie — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 21:43:35 GMT

A long read, I maybe read half. The Aldi and Cosco there, reads like Walmart does here in America. There is Aldi grocery stores here, but they are small, hardly any compitition for the mega Kroger, Walmart, Meijer, They are more comparable to sav a lot.

BTW, there are IGAs poping up all over southern Ohio, What used to be Shopwise in Minford, is now an IGA, they are poised to give the Aldi here some compitition, beating them in selection, and coming closer to matching them in price on some things

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

pct001wine — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 00:08:04 GMT

lol I imagine all these people with their "hit list" of Halal cheeses furtively going through the cheese cabinet at Costco/ALDI/Woolies/Coles/IGA/wherever, looking for those subversive mind-altering non-Haram products.

Re: ALDI COSTCO etc

cherry*135 — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 01:02:18 GMT

@secondhand-wonderland wrote:
Yeah as cc said that was a very interesting article. Dick says a couple of times in the article that Aldi only employ 3 or 4 people per store. I havent done a search but that sounds very low to me. How could 3 or 4 people possibly serve all those customers and keep the store shelves packed, receive deliveries, keep orders up to date ect,ect all in one day?

Aldi pay their staff a good wage rate & penal rates. The checkout staff also get to sit down while working.

The staff have to be able to unpack a pallet in a certain timeframe.

The checkout person doesn't bag the groceries, so that saves time.

The ALDI stores near me that I have been too, are quite small compared to the size of the Coles & Woolie store. So it is not as if 1 or 2 floor staff are restocking the shelves in a store the size of Woolies/Coles.

I have to go out of my way a bit to get to the nearest Aldi, so don't go their often. If there was one in my town, I would check in and see what they had on offer.

akuma - Fresh fruit's OK - bit hard to get dodgy fresh fruit.

Our Woolies ( small town) has dodgy fresh fruit! The fruit & vege is so expensive people don't buy it, so it gets very over ripe and not worth buying! They only put the price down when it is way past its best. Their fruit & vege prices are dearer than other Woolies stores. Makes a mockery of their slogan ' The fresh food people'.

We have other major supermarkets about 15 mins away... so we can avoid buying the over priced, over ripe fruit & vege at our local Woolies.