Sep 10 2010
POLLS
Do 'hard discounters' pose a threat to the small retailer?
67% Yes
21% No
0% Don't Know
Your Reaction
The hard discounters want to have a presence in every town in Ireland and if they do they will spell the death, not only of the traditional Irish retailer, but of Irish community life!
colette
Yes they do: and rumour has it that Aldi and Lidl are looking at opening convenience store outlets in the UK. Only a matter of time?
Frank
The Lidl Express store in Edmonton, London, with a focus on food-to-go, provides an insight into the model Lidl could use to gain a foothold into the convenience market. It's understood to be merely a pilot experimental scheme and that the discounter presently has no plans to expand the model - although it could well be a case of watch this space!
Gillian
No, high prices pose a threat to the small retailer, so does bad service, lack of investment in small shops, rip-offs at every turn, no parking, grumpy staff, lack of choice and bad deli counters. A good shop with good products, and service and great food will always do well. Time for the symbol groups to cough up and give a little back to all the shoppers they ripped off for so long. If they don't the shoppers will vote with their feet.
Liam Mac
Hopefully! As a consumer who is sick of being ripped off by outrageous "convenience" store prices, I welcome any competition that shakes up the cosy cartel of Irish retailing. The discounters are here to stay and your aversion to them is laughable.
Garrett