Audra, congratulation on so may accomplishments! The point on affordable groceries is a hot topic right now and hope you can keep writing or sharing your experiences with the barriers blocking Rosefinch Mercantile from providing physical and economic access to the foods your community members want to consume. It is a very hot topic now and touches so many spaces... (inflation, Cost of Living, Food access, consumer choice, competition and monopolies).
Are there not endless deliveries going up and down the 103 each day? That's an expensive surcharge for being a short drive off the beaten path.
Clearly as a retailer you are simply not negotiating correctly with the wholesaler. ;-) I read all about it from a recent Standing Committee report:
"Supplier-Retailer Price Negotiations --
Farmers, wholesalers, and food manufacturers who sell directly to food retailers
explained that they are required to negotiate with these retailers well in advance of
delivery, often making it difficult for them to adjust to sudden shocks, such as recent
inflationary pressures or extreme weather events."
The same committee begins their hearings on "Efforts to stabilize food prices" and it would be fantastic if they were able to hear your experiences -- either sending them relevant stories from your posts via email or appearing as a witness. The chair of the committee is an MP from Nova Scotia, you may even have some other good contact in your circle to form a small delegation:
Do you know any of the other people who run local convenience stores (not so close as to be competing with you)? You might contact them to review the issue and pick their brains. I know a lot do Costco, Atlantic Wholesalers, and even WalMart - but it's a hassle, no question.
Audra, congratulation on so may accomplishments! The point on affordable groceries is a hot topic right now and hope you can keep writing or sharing your experiences with the barriers blocking Rosefinch Mercantile from providing physical and economic access to the foods your community members want to consume. It is a very hot topic now and touches so many spaces... (inflation, Cost of Living, Food access, consumer choice, competition and monopolies).
Are there not endless deliveries going up and down the 103 each day? That's an expensive surcharge for being a short drive off the beaten path.
Clearly as a retailer you are simply not negotiating correctly with the wholesaler. ;-) I read all about it from a recent Standing Committee report:
"Supplier-Retailer Price Negotiations --
Farmers, wholesalers, and food manufacturers who sell directly to food retailers
explained that they are required to negotiate with these retailers well in advance of
delivery, often making it difficult for them to adjust to sudden shocks, such as recent
inflationary pressures or extreme weather events."
Personally I feel the voice of small retailers and communities are missing from many such reports: https://www.ourcommons.ca/Content/Committee/441/AGRI/Reports/RP12503602/agrirp10/agrirp10-e.pdf
The same committee begins their hearings on "Efforts to stabilize food prices" and it would be fantastic if they were able to hear your experiences -- either sending them relevant stories from your posts via email or appearing as a witness. The chair of the committee is an MP from Nova Scotia, you may even have some other good contact in your circle to form a small delegation:
https://www.ourcommons.ca/committees/en/AGRI/StudyActivity?studyActivityId=12380313
Do you know any of the other people who run local convenience stores (not so close as to be competing with you)? You might contact them to review the issue and pick their brains. I know a lot do Costco, Atlantic Wholesalers, and even WalMart - but it's a hassle, no question.
The store looks lovely!