Queanbeyan Coles is to be congratulated for pairing with OzHarvest to distribute surplus food to families doing it tough (Surplus food goes to families in need, QA, 15 July, p.7).
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It generates nice warm fuzzy feelings and excellent PR, something imperative to supermarkets, countering negative consumer images.
Who knows some of their employees or suppliers might well be needy recipients of their beneficence!
Small Business Ombudsman, Kate Carnell, is particularly interested in Australia's large "supermarket chains" which, she says, "have been treating small suppliers 'with contempt'" (Late payers a silent killer for suppliers, BusinessDay, 15 July, p.13).
Council of Small Business Australia Chairman, Nielsen, said Coles now requests 2.5% discount for paying on time.
He said Woolworths was paying about 60 days after receipt of invoice, placing small suppliers in serious cash difficulties.
The decision to retail milk at $1 devalues the product and makes dairies future precarious. Then there was the "fresh baked" bread, from Ireland!
Supermarket employees have been disadvantaged by a pay deal, struck by the shop assistants union, and refusal to abide by The Fair Work Commission decision.
Night and weekend workers were paid less than their basic safety net "award" entitlement, a decision affecting 77,000 employees.
The "agreement" is being re-negotiated.
Australia's duopoly purchasing power is restricting numbers of suppliers.
Smaller family businesses are being elbowed out due to inability to achieve economies of scale.
Major supermarket branches sprout like mushrooms after a shower, grabbing locations and out-pricing locals.
It is understandable why people might need "charity"!
- Albert M. White, Queanbeyan
