Market basket and its future (Brockton, Salem: live in, prices, vs.)

[BackToMA]

For starters 3 monopolize the
Town I live in. The 2 cousins are fighting and today the board of directors are going to decide and if they do go the way I heard it will, then it could actually paralyze
Market basket.

[Amontillado]

Yes, for those of us who shop there, the infighting there is a concern.

Here's an article in the Salem News that explains it:
Our view: The battle for Market Basket » Opinion » SalemNews.com, Salem, MA

Frankly, it seems like a very well-run business that pleases its employees and its customers. Everything is going right, so who needs any changes? Still, I bet the managers at Stop & Shop are hoping it turns out very very badly.

[xo_kizzy_xo]

I was at the Brockton MB earlier today and I saw/heard nothing about it. Perhaps it's because MB is a newer chain down that way and therefore the employees there don't have as long a history as the ones in MB's stomping ground?

[in_newengland]

My husband signed the petition yesterday. MB is one of the few food store chains that still treats the employees well and it shines though to how the employees treat the customers. No frills either: no plastic discount cards or other gimicks. Just cheaper prices.

They seem to work hard to determine the best buys and will discontinue any item if it becomes overpriced. I have seen them re-introduce the product when the price comes down to something sensible.

What I read in the paper was that they want the stockholders to get more money. That's what the other cousin would do and the vote was to have taken place today in Andover. I hope we don't lose MB as a good store.

[accufitgolf]

This whole DeMoulas family/ownership/stock, etc. thing played out in court some 10-12 years ago. Now it is simply a business decision. To keep the cousins straight, Mike's (Telemachus) son Arthur was nicknamed "Ditto" as he looked and behaved like his father. Mike was tough and a task master also at the same time, he was fair and rewarding. His son learned the same lessons.

If I had a say, I would go for the present leadership of Ditto.

PS

I know the players.

PPS

Do not call him Ditto to his face........LOL

[495neighbor]

I have been in Market Basket in Westford several times this week. It is a great new store with the best employees, sparkling clean and all kinds of food. I did not notice anyone with a clipboard asking for signatures at this store? I hope it stays the same, as this is my only grocery now, besides occasionally trips to WF. Although higher priced, I like WF for the same reasons, happy well treated employees, high commitment to quality product.

[xo_kizzy_xo]

Originally Posted by 495neighbor

I have been in Market Basket in Westford several times this week. It is a great new store with the best employees, sparkling clean and all kinds of food. I did not notice anyone with a clipboard asking for signatures at this store?

Yeah, I want to say that the clipboard/petition thing is happening primarily in the DeMoulas' backyard -- i.e., the older stores where the longer-standing employees would have much to lose if the board decides to oust him.

Last I heard they're still in discussion.

[parried]

I've been trying to get jobs there for the longest time, but it seems you have to know somebody to get in. Shame that such a good company is poisoned with nepotism.

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by xo_kizzy_xo

Yeah, I want to say that the clipboard/petition thing is happening primarily in the DeMoulas' backyard -- i.e., the older stores where the longer-standing employees would have much to lose if the board decides to oust him.

Last I heard they're still in discussion.

Interesting. I did hear from somebody several years ago that there has always been some kind of political Market Basket vs. DeMoulas tension within the ranks. Westford still has two MBs, the new and the old one. I wouldn't be surprised based on what you say that if I went into old MB, some petitioners would be around.

[hiero2]

Originally Posted by Amontillado

. . .
Frankly, it seems like a very well-run business that pleases its employees and its customers. . ..

Yes. Agree. They provide good prices, no gimmicks, and old-fashioned service.

Originally Posted by 495neighbor

. . . Westford still has two MBs, the new and the old one. . . .

Still? I still shop at the old MB on a regular basis. It is my regular grocery. The new one, a block away, has more sq ft, better selection, but imo poorer parking. I still use the old one. Strange to me that they keep both open. Anyway, I'm happy. I've never seen any ppl with petitions or the like to sign.