International Supermarkets

[Gertrude]

I love them.

There is also much benefit to the Thai economy.

Staff who work in them, and they are huge employers, pay taxes.

Most of the locals shop in them, and resell at a profit.

Thais now realise that they don't have to eat the crap sold to them in the open markets.

They realise they can have clean meat that hasn't been hanging around on a stall all day at 30 degrees, and free of road dust and fly sh^t.

Most of these chain stores sponsor local charities.

And don't forget, we are now into the 21st century!

Wake UP.

Taxes, an interesting concept, I wonder how many of these little mom and pop shops pay a baht in tax -

the ringing of two tills.

Mom & Pop shop pay taxes....I don't think so!!!!!!!!!

[t.s]

Nobody likes them, but everybody shops at them.

I love them. They offer fresh hygienic reasonably priced goods in a comfortable clean pleasant venue. They have a wide range of products for sale that haven't sat on a shelf for weeks. If they didn't sell what people wanted they'd go out of business. You appear to have this arse about face. It's the job of retailers to offer what people want to buy. Supermarkets do that - that's why people shop there.

tesco is pleasant?

[henryalleman]

Nobody likes them, but everybody shops at them.

I love them. They offer fresh hygienic reasonably priced goods in a comfortable clean pleasant venue. They have a wide range of products for sale that haven't sat on a shelf for weeks. If they didn't sell what people wanted they'd go out of business. You appear to have this arse about face. It's the job of retailers to offer what people want to buy. Supermarkets do that - that's why people shop there.

tesco is pleasant?

Tesco is not pleasant at all, can't find the food I like. Typical British, not so much European continental products and food.

[dee123]

....as you lot might know I am in UK at the moment and Sales figures are in for the Xmas period.....most stores reporting a noticeable drop in sales (online sales up I suppose)but even so there is an exception to this with most of the major supermarkets reporting a rise!!.(well what a surprise .)....smaller retailers like Woolworths are closing and and med size retailers folding.... today on TV 80% polled of British consumers said they would like supermarkets to be held to account when driving small farming business to bankruptcy,..and carefully monitered......ect ect......today is thurs 15 jan 2009......an exception for mid size retailer was Primark the cheap as chips clothing manufacturer who's takings were also up,......Yes Primark are the company that repeatedly have been caught using suppliers who employ illegal immigrants and source their goods from third world countrys using child labour,..oh how wonderful these Companys are,.......I really enjoy shopping there.(NOT).....ISNT COMPETION JUST WONDERFUL!!!

Edited January 15, 2009 by dee123

[dee123]

I love them.

There is also much benefit to the Thai economy.

Staff who work in them, and they are huge employers, pay taxes.

Most of the locals shop in them, and resell at a profit.

Thais now realise that they don't have to eat the crap sold to them in the open markets.

They realise they can have clean meat that hasn't been hanging around on a stall all day at 30 degrees, and free of road dust and fly sh^t.

Most of these chain stores sponsor local charities.

And don't forget, we are now into the 21st century!

Wake UP.

nothing enforcing national food hygiene regulations couldn't remedy.........Last years UK documentry of Tesco systematically breaching hygiene regs should be used as a guide perhaps!!

Edited January 15, 2009 by dee123

[dee123]

dee123 ... breath in, breath out ...

big chains like that have a profit margin of 1%, which is enough as they work with huge numbers, but the fact remains that 99% of the money they receive is needed to make payments, largely to all kind of Thai companies, they sell more then fresh food you know and if you pay attention, the vast majority of products they sell is in fact Thai, or imported by Thai companies, so they help the economy on a larger scale in many, many ways ... not to mention the fact that they had to cut a deal with the government and are p[aying lots of taxes ... you think mom and pop are complaining about the new road?

the whole problem in this discussion is that your freaking out about the fact that some small stores will go under, yes that's unfortunately, but on a bigger scale, these tesco's are helping the Thai economy in many ways !!

what about this ... you tell me, what's best ... young girl goes working 10km from her home in a tesco or she prostitute herself 500km away in Bkk ... tell me, what is it you wish for that young girl?

1% ? PROVE IT ......as for the bargirl question,....put finances into local small business's to manufacture and export solar and eco products,or pay realistic prices to small farmers so they don't have to sell their daughters SIMPLE...!!(by the way Jose' Girls going to Bkk is more to do with the wealth of Thailand going to corrupt politicians and the "Idle Rich"....since Tesco and others have arrived even more girls are making that journey,..TRUE?

Edited January 15, 2009 by dee123

[dee123]

you lot make me laff! Edited January 15, 2009 by dee123

[mistresserika]

I love them.

There is also much benefit to the Thai economy.

Staff who work in them, and they are huge employers, pay taxes.

Most of the locals shop in them, and resell at a profit.

Thais now realise that they don't have to eat the crap sold to them in the open markets.

They realise they can have clean meat that hasn't been hanging around on a stall all day at 30 degrees, and free of road dust and fly sh^t.

Most of these chain stores sponsor local charities.

And don't forget, we are now into the 21st century!

Wake UP.

Could't agree with you more. A huge benefit to Thailand.

[dee123]

"staff who work in them,and they are a huge employers,pay taxes"......SHAME IS THIER BOSS DON'T!!!!

Edited January 15, 2009 by dee123

[mistresserika]

"staff who work in them,and they are a huge employers,pay taxes"......SHAME IS THIER BOSS DON'T!!!!

He most certainly does!

[dave9988]

In the small Ban where my wife grew up it wasn't until recently that the locals could have managed to survive by the Barter system,with everyone growing fruits and veg raising cattle and fishermen fishing,then selling at market.Things have now changed with the arrival of giant Supermarket chains like Tesco and Makro,(and their litter/garbage issues) .ect The hygeine has benefited admittedly but as far as I can see practically nothing else,as less and less of the Thai locals can now hand down their business's to the next generation.Instead unhealthy foods are becoming part of the next generations diet,and everyone wanting to move abroad.How far should the Thai people let the Multi nationals proceed,..should they learn from the West's mistakes before it's too late and tell the(farang and Thai)Supermarkets to go for a HIKE !! For we have learned in the West that these Giant's if not tightly regulated will slowly but surely take-over all of the retail sector then proceed to telecomunications petrol supply ect,....you name it, they will monopolise it.What is the best course of action to avoid this and give the Fat Cat's the boot?Should an "unfair competition Tax" be introduced ?

its capitalism. if its cheaper to barter they will keep doing that.

[dee123]

"staff who work in them,and they are a huge employers,pay taxes"......SHAME IS THIER BOSS DON'T!!!!

He most certainly does!

Ever heared of Tax loopholes for the mega rich?

Edited January 16, 2009 by dee123

[elibangkok]

The choice is there, those that prefer to spend more for the same or lower quality product can support local businesses.

I do not understand the assumption that all large companies are evil?

And for every small business they put out of business, they are allowing many small businesses to remain in business by offering a better price, more availability, ease of business etc.

The fact that you can get nearly everything you might need in a half hour in Carrefour/Tesco as opposed to spending a full day shuttling from small shop to small shop has tremendous value for many people.

[LAZYTERRY]

Loei doesn't even have one big supermarket.

[dominator]

Loei doesn't even have one big supermarket.

I'm not suprised!

[Owain]

Are we just complaining about international super markets here or does this include BigC as well? I love them and loads of Thais love them as well looking at their car parks which are full.

[bkkjames]

Are we just complaining about international super markets here or does this include BigC as well? I love them and loads of Thais love them as well looking at their car parks which are full.

Big C if I am not mistaken is part of the Casino group - one of the largest retail groups in the world.

[dee123]

The choice is there, those that prefer to spend more for the same or lower quality product can support local businesses.

I do not understand the assumption that all large companies are evil?

And for every small business they put out of business, they are allowing many small businesses to remain in business by offering a better price, more availability, ease of business etc.

The fact that you can get nearly everything you might need in a half hour in Carrefour/Tesco as opposed to spending a full day shuttling from small shop to small shop has tremendous value for many people.

elibangkok...the vast publicity machine of the "BIG" Supermakets have persuaded people like you that the effect on small business's is negilable,.....The reality is different. Just walk down any UK high st and you will notice that whatever town you are in all the shops are basically the same,,Superdrug,Woolworths,Tesco,Next,..ect ect you understand I'm sure.Now, you will find only towns that have put up a fight to stop these giants have indie shops which in this day and age sell "QUALITY" goods above that of the supermarkets shelf.Now to say "they are allowing many small business's to remain in business by offering a better price",...is, I am sorry to say complete nonsense but is the worlds biggest "red herring", spewed out by the "BIG" boys advertising machine, which has been digested by the gullible.The early history of the "BIG" is admirable.Unfortuneately during the time of rapid expansion dirty tricks and rule/law breaking became the norm with the major chains.Hence the not so strong or the "fair" players were marginalised,many farmers were squeezed out of excistance too.It is only now that their dirty tactics have become common knowledge and so to compensate each new venture they launch "Spin" offencesive's including charity events "going green" or similar but in the knowledge that they are in pole position and should anyone try to knock them they have the capability to revert back to their usual character of school bully.

Edited January 16, 2009 by dee123

[Owain]

Are we just complaining about international super markets here or does this include BigC as well? I love them and loads of Thais love them as well looking at their car parks which are full.

Big C if I am not mistaken is part of the Casino group - one of the largest retail groups in the world.

They have the majority of shares in it now but it was originally set up by a Thai company.