Supermarkets and Retail

We had one at Westfield in Chelthenham.

I wonder if the level of obesity in the USA may have something to do with it.

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Tbh that should be expected with the surge of shoppers needing essentials during the peak of COVID. There has been more demand than there is supply, and Kmart factories can’t keep up big production numbers until the pandemic eases just a bit more.

I wonder if they’ll shut up some stores (no point being open with nothing to sell); things like this can become a downward spiral deepening the recession.

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They didn’t say they had “nothing” to sell. They said that some stock was sold out. They’ve still made money on all that stuff sold. Why would they shut down? They still have other stuff to sell.

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hm

Because they don’t literally have nothing to sell (@TV-ACT was probably expressing himself figuratively) - its just they’re running out of much needed items (huge majority of products). Only a little amount is left. So there isn’t much point staying open - just keep it online to sell the rest of it?
When Kmart gains more items they can see a point to reopen.

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I think that’s an overreaction to the facts. As I said before, they’ve run out certain items in certain categories. The stores are not completely decimated. At this stage, people want consistency in retail, not more shutdowns. Keep calm and carry on.

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And diversify your supply chain.

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The topic on the article says “Kmart shelves bare - and there’s no new stock coming for months”. There is not much to sell now and their stock is continuing to wither as of this minute. Better to save costs and operate online (that’s not so much of an issue now with many getting used to using their devices during the COVID pandemic). Not really an overreaction - photos prove just how much is gone (and left).

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A Twitter search finds that there should be plenty of trashy romance novels available.

Ridiculous. Closing the stores is not the answer. My local is a bit bare, but there is plenty of other items still available. Closing the stores would just add to the fear and hype of what we’ve just been through with lockdown.

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You’re taking the article (which has been produced solely from Facebook discourse / images) far, far too literally - Items are getting replenished, they just don’t expect all stores to be back to 100% for about 6 weeks. It would likely cost more to temporarily close stores for 6 weeks than it would to have them continue to trade with low stock levels.

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But the fact is some shelves are empty and some items won’t be restocked for a few more weeks. Not all shelves and all items.

Did we expect supermarkets to shut down when ptheyanic buying caused many of their shelves to be stripped bare?

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No, because they are an essential service.

Kmart? Not so much.

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I never stated that?

At supermarkets there were still plenty of items for sale (also because they are very essential as @Radiohead says)

That does prove my point to be wrong though. I cannot argue with the reaction of the public.

What are you referring to exactly, sales online or the costs of keeping it open, etc?

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The biggest surprise out of all this and is quite the opposite to some recent media articles, is I have been informed that Kmart and BIGW stores have been trading 40-50% up on LY since the middle of April. That’s not some stores, that’s a company wide figure. Apparently Target has gone backwards.

Q4 results are going to be interesting. It would be a first in the history books for WOW and WES should their dept store brands produce a 30/40/50% comp growth for the quarter. Share price might go bonkers.

Supermarket Sales have apparently subsided, however still strong 10-20% up.

Don’t underestimate how much K and BW are benefiting from this.

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A funny time for retail. I know of one major national retail chain that has seen 1 years worth of sales within 3 months this year :thinking:

Crazy times indeed.

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However I would be concerned October onwards when the Government payments all end/decrease. Could potentially be a fairly flat or negative Christmas if they don’t extend it. Will spending drop like a rock? Will people put the money on domestic travel? Will be interesting and many executives will be nervous heading into Q2.

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