Do economists have a clue or do they just create the problems?

[therealjr]

So Sainsbury's this morning announce strong results, we are now the 2nd biggest on terms of market share and have the highest values of any of the big players. An economist at one of the equity banks says the results are good but  "intense competition, rising commodity prices and the group's sole UK focus limited its scope for further expansion".
Which is interesting because T**** compete in the same markets have the same rising costs and have (badly) entered foreign markets and their results are poor at the minute.
I can't work it out

[Old Cruser]

Maybe Sainsbury's could do with expanding their shops.
Is there just the one around Chesterfield and District?

[therealjr]

In terms of supermarkets we have stores in dronfield Matlock Mansfield Sheffield and ripley in what you'd call the locality. There are also quite a few Sainsbury's locals in Sheffield but we tend to only put them in big cities rather than saturating an area!!! I can't remember exactly the ratio but it's something like 6-700 supermarkets and 3-350 locals.

[Old Cruser]

So pretty spaced out then JR, if Sainsbury's don't expand a little their scop i suppose remain as it is.
I for one would like to see one nearer us- even if only a smaller one

[therealjr]

The two real growth areas with us are reflected by the change in people's shopping habits namely online because people don't have the time or inclination to wander round the store and convenience stores because people are buying little and often rather than doing big shops. They are almost treating us as their fridge/storage cupboards.

[Old Cruser]

I don't shop on line as I like to see what I am buying and a large section of what I buy is fresh foods and I wonder if shopping online also takes out the temptation of over spending for some of us.
The buying little and often as maybe do you think increased due the current clime many have to budget much tighter at the moment.
It's just another way of controling spending I suppose.

[Big Dave]

Which is interesting because T**** compete in the same markets have the same rising costs and have (badly) entered foreign markets and their results are poor at the minute.
I can't work it out

Neither can I as at the beginning of August Tesco were sitting at No. 2 in Europe with Sainsburys at No. 10.

http://internetretailing.net/2013/08/uks-four-largest-supermarkets-among-european-retail-elite-kantar/

[therealjr]

I'm starting to think that these guys just start rumours to make money.

[Slacker]

...as in the toy that's impossible to get hold of at Christmas

[Old Cruser]

Which toy are you wanting for christmas then Mr Slacker