Island shopping blues

July 7, 2010

Dear Sir,

On June 20, "Shopper" writes to suggest that retailers struggle because they fail to change their products. While stale products certainly is a problem, I suggest retailers struggle because of brutal supply chain inefficiencies. Supply chain surplus equals profit, but because the retail supply chain is so inefficient, prices providing surplus are too high to be palatable by shoppers. If prices are too high to stimulate demand, people will only shop for necessities. Ever notice the shipping labels on boxes outside of Bermuda's retailers? They are shipping product using the major couriers, and we all know the couriers charge exorbitant rates for shipments to Bermuda. I recently ordered a case of wine from California. The cheapest price to ship a case of wine using the major courier services was $349 for the case. My cost to ship to a US destination? $22. I shipped it to a US address and brought it home as luggage.

I try to support Bermuda retailers, but I get frustrated. I don't mind paying a small premium to purchase locally, but I won't pay an additional 50%. For example, I recently purchased a unique consumer electronics item from an online retailer. Using one of the popular freight forwarding services, I landed the item for approximately $800. The item was proudly being promoted by a Reid Street retailer for $1,200! I'm also getting tired of buying rotting fruits and vegetables. On a recent visit to a Whole Foods store in the US, I watched the produce manager diligently culling overripe produce from the displays. Most of the items he was culling were in better shape than the new items being stocked on Bermuda grocers' shelves. Complain about rotten berries or onions and the only response is "Well, nothing is local; everything is imported you know!" I know that. I also know the berries sold in New York in January are not local either; they are imported from Mexico or Guatemala, but they still look fresh on the shelves.

The retailers need to find a way to work together to break the monopoly on shipping and drastically reduce the cost of getting the product from the supplier to the consumer. The current model isn't working. I would also like to see an innovative retailer keep their doors open past 5 p.m. (and closing times of 5.15 or 5.30 p.m. are still too early).

ANDREW WOODWORTH

Paget

MPs need to have courage

July 5, 2010

Dear Sir,

It seems as if the Premier is determined to continue in his bid to settle scores, and the latest item on his damaging agenda is the takeover of the Corporations of Hamilton and St. George's.

One can only hope that Members of the House will remember that this man has promised to be out of here in October, and not allow themselves to be intimidated into voting for this motion.

No one can put it better than Matthew Taylor in the August edition of Bottom Line; I quote: "People have watched the draining of the public purse with loose management of capital projects, funds paid to tourism 'consultants' for lousy results for which no one is held accountable, and leaders living in public funded luxury while travelling. Most would prefer not to see the Corporation's assets used to top up the feeding trough."

I sincerely hope that Members of Parliament will have the courage to vote against this bill, which I understand is to be tabled in the House on Friday.

E. RABEN

Paget