Have people finally had enough of shops and greedy prices

[budlights]

I can't speak for other areas, but while I was out shopping this morning, I was surprised at how much was still available on the shelves. Morrisons had plenty of gift sets, candles, home accessories, Christmas chocolates, toys, etc. It was the same in Sainsbury's, B&M and Tesco. There were also a lot of items on sale, so they're obviously eager to shift it all. I typically do my shopping at the last minute because of work, and usually, most items are sold out, but this year seems different. Have people reached their limit?

We traded at X Christmas Market this year (today!) - don’t want to be too identifying - but ours is a locally produced food product. Our pricing is what it is, but then our costs of production have also risen substantially (animal feed etc).
We also paid an insane amount of money for the cabin.

We had some good sales but also noticed that there seemed to be a lot of tyre kickers around, people out for the day but determinedly not buying. We always have a goodly amount of stock for samples/tasters, but I’m afraid I’m so jaded now and can smell the freeloaders a mile off.

First (and last…) time trading there for us. What a waste of time and money!

I don't think supermarkets are being greedy. There are poor harvests, inflation, thefts and geopolitical tensions, ie Ukraine produces a lot of rape seed oil etc that all combined pushes prices up.

If they took all of their profits and put that into the baskets of their customers, each customer would get about 80p post tax back for a week's worth of shopping. They shift so much stuff which then makes a profit, not because they're extorting you.

Yes, good points.

I think many people feel this way now. I would never buy random tat or those little toiletries gift sets you used to get, as I don't like buying them for the sake of it and I know most people don't want to receive them either!

Think so - even my kids resent buying something in early December and finding it’s available at 70-30% off by the time they unwrap it on Christmas Day. They’ve asked for money and a few key items. In the past we’d have bought lots of ‘bits’ so they’ve have stuff to unwrap, but they are finally old enough that they’d rather have 5 key items, spend an hour or two with the grandparents, and then jump on line to catch up with mates. They haven’t even asked for latest PS5s etc as they really don’t feel they’re much of an upgrade for the amount of money they cost.

It’s a relief they’ve grown up - and I’m happy to give them money towards uni and holidays with their friends when they get there instead.

Hope the shops take head. It’s not just CoL factors but the fact that people are fed up with being conned into spending money they shouldn’t have to.

Oxford Street yesterday busy busy busy. So people are out and about shopping and buying.

This.Ive just bought less but better this year. Although I was never attracted by that sort of stuff tbh.

I honestly know no one who gives or receives those boxes of eczema inducing toiletries .

A friend of mine used to make her ( adult ) children wait till the January sales to buy the things they wanted, but 90s sales are different to today’s ones I think and much more online too. I guess that giving money is a good idea if your family are not too bothered about opening things. Everyone is different though especially with Christmas presents and there are so many different traditions that people don’t like to change as well despite the cost!

@Nomdemare yep , As a Bath resident I posted my views on this earlier- it attracts people just to come and walk round, buy mulled wine, eat noodles - and I’m afraid it attracts a lot of people who won’t pay £5.75 for a nice chutney etc - but will pay it for mulled wine or £8 for coffee with Baileys - the other issue is a lot of the really excellent European craft and food stuff stalksstopped coming post Brexit - too complicated by far - this may change though as rules relating to food are changing somewhat - I definitely think it’s had an impact on quality of Xmas markets here . I know myself I certainly wouldn’t bother at these markets for the cost if I wasa retailer of anything but takeaway food and beverages or had an affordable , fast sell through and unique product !

I've looked at having a shed at Bath (I'm a silversmith) but the costs of it just don't add up for me. Far too many people just there for the "experience" and not enough actually buying. I'd probably end up losing money.

Stock security was also a worry with crowds pressing in.

Someone on a low or ordinary income who purchases the more affordable items from luxury brands. Think how there are millions of people who purchase Chanel perfume, but only a few thousand (if that) who buy couture. Many luxury brands get a good chunk of their revenue from people who aren’t rich, but they increasingly no longer want these customers. Louis Vuitton especially want the aspirational shopper gone.

@TheWytch totally agree -

Supermarkets definitely are not ripping you off for the veg this week. 5p for carrots and sprouts.

‘Greedy prices’? Why do you say that? Shops operate on a tiny margin, they make money by selling at volume.
I was in Tesco yesterday and Waitrose the other day and both were heaving. The parking lot at Sainsbury’s/M&S today was rammed. Somebody is spending.

I have done 90% of my shopping online this year.

Its easier to source the products at a cheaper price, shipping is mostly free and the selection is bigger.

I went into a bookshop and saw a book DC wanted for twenty pounds. It was half price online.

The supermarkets are raking it in, they should give something back, people are really feeling the pinch this year.

THIS!

Hopefully the farmers got paid fairly…I bought a bag of sprouts for 15p, honestly my first thought was that is ridiculous.

It's a lost leader, most likwpy funded by the supermarket. Get people in to buy cheap veg, then they will be so pleased they got that cheaply they will treat themselves to something extra.

Yes but it devalues food production generally.

Exactly this. Follow farmers on Instagram. They are in crises. They try to sell direct and people won't pay what it actually costs to produce as it's too expensive.

Yes. There’s been a fair amount in the farming press about this years veg price wars and impact generally on farming particularly where they try to direct sell, and also the devaluing of what food actually costs to produce. I suspect I’m derailing this thread though with farming politics!

As others already mentioned, supermarkets operate on tiny margins. I read it’s 1.8% to 3.2%, so £1.80-£3.20 profit for every £100 in sales.

There was an extremely long queue of people, standing outside in the cold, being allowed into M&S foodhall a few at a time, yesterday. This was 2pm. I went back at 4pm and got straight in, but it was packed with winding queues inside. I ended up putting my stuff back. The rest of the store was practically empty of shoppers.
ASDA was very civilised.

DH and I have bought virtually everything Christmas related online (apart from the kids' stocking fillers) for the past few years. After my last commute to London for the year last week nothing will induce me to set foot in the physical shops until next year.