[in_newengland]

Originally Posted by BobNJ1960

Profit is what business is about, properly.

But there has to be a balance. It's not all about money. It's about services. I go out of my way to avoid $top & Shop. Not only the high prices, but the workers always seem unhappy and unable to help you. That kind of behavior comes right down fro the top.

Another grocer said if they go out of business we might get a Walmart instead.
I'd like a nice new Aldi.

[hans1976]

I hear it is all about the profit, but realistically, they are not making a lot of money. Yes, they made $2 billion last year (compare that to BOA that made over $50 billion). But that is with 6500 stores. That works out to an average of $300K per store per year, or $800 a day as an average. Some make more, but some make a lot less. With an increase in wages, property taxes going up (Middletown is proposing a 5% tax increase) and the new bag fee that stores will be imposing (Middletown is 10 cents a bag if you don't bring your own), I would not be surprised that if they do settle, they end up closing a dozen stores.

I read somewhere the strikers are getting $7 an hour for strike pay.

[robr2]

Originally Posted by hans1976

I hear it is all about the profit, but realistically, they are not making a lot of money. Yes, they made $2 billion last year (compare that to BOA that made over $50 billion). But that is with 6500 stores. That works out to an average of $300K per store per year, or $800 a day as an average. Some make more, but some make a lot less. With an increase in wages, property taxes going up (Middletown is proposing a 5% tax increase) and the new bag fee that stores will be imposing (Middletown is 10 cents a bag if you don't bring your own), I would not be surprised that if they do settle, they end up closing a dozen stores.

I read somewhere the strikers are getting $7 an hour for strike pay.

Based on their 2018 sales of $53.22 billion, that's about a 3.7% net profit which is above the range of 1-3% for grocery stores.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by robr2

Based on their 2018 sales of $53.22 billion, that's about a 3.7% net profit which is above the range of 1-3% for grocery stores.

Why would you even care? It's hard to imagine you shopping at a Stop & Shop instead of a Market Basket. My closest grocery store is a Stop & Shop but I pretty much use it as a convenience store to buy a couple of things.

[Stepfordct]

Shop Rite Milford is great looking, prices seemed higher though. Comparing a brand new store of course its nicer. New car vs old one.....hmmm

[BobNJ1960]

Originally Posted by in_newengland

But there has to be a balance. It's not all about money. It's about services. I go out of my way to avoid $top & Shop. Not only the high prices, but the workers always seem unhappy and unable to help you. That kind of behavior comes right down fro the top.

Another grocer said if they go out of business we might get a Walmart instead.
I'd like a nice new Aldi.

I like Wal Mart best. Shop Rite, next.

I do agree S & S has a bad, unhelpful workforce. Between that and its high prices, I avoid it 98% of the time.

Marty's attitude seems fine to me, though.

[BobNJ1960]

Originally Posted by robr2

Based on their 2018 sales of $53.22 billion, that's about a 3.7% net profit which is above the range of 1-3% for grocery stores.

Still leaves little room for more cost.

It also demonstrates why Amazon should take over retail, moving it online, as much as possible. Cut distribution costs, a/k/a staffing cost per million $ of revenue..

[BobNJ1960]

With the state retail is in, I am surprised the staff is gambling this much. Much of the Connecticut Post is no longer retail. What is left, outside of 3 stores, employs handfuls. US1 Milford is the land of closed retail.

Simply stated, if this results in a S & S Reduction in Force, many displaced will have no alternative retail options.

Most retailers will frown upon "I lost my last job after a strike" on an application submitted to them.

[kmarc]

Originally Posted by in_newengland

But there has to be a balance. It's not all about money. It's about services. I go out of my way to avoid $top & Shop. Not only the high prices, but the workers always seem unhappy and unable to help you. That kind of behavior comes right down fro the top.

Another grocer said if they go out of business we might get a Walmart instead.
I'd like a nice new Aldi.

Upvote for the Aldi. And also for noting that in business, things come from the top down.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by BobNJ1960

US1 Milford is the land of closed retail.

Huh? Aside from empty lots that haven’t yet been developed, I don’t see much in the way of vacancies outside the mall. My friend that works for the city says that lots of businesses are looking to move to Milford, retail and restaurants, but it’s hard to find space now.