by BastardSquad » Thu 14 Feb 2008, 13:42:33
I've worked in the meat market of a locally owed grocery store for over 15 years,been running it for over five.I'll tell you what I can about the buisiness,and what you can/could/might do now and in the future (if/when things get really bad) to help yourself out.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tyler_JC', 'I')'d say the rise of meat consumption in China (and the resultant increase in demand for grain), an increase in inflation pressures, and the increased use of biofuels are all partly responsible for higher food prices.
There are so many factors that affect the price of meat it's insane.
A few years back meat prices jumped almost over night,many of my customers were irate,at which point I calmly explained to them it's not our fault and that we are in no way increasing our profits by raising our prices.
I would ask "did you hear about the mad scare cow in England?"
"Oh sure,but that's England!We have plenty of healthy cattle here in the states!"
"And did you see the bit about the hoof and mouth outbreak in Argentina?"
"Yeah,but that still doesn't explain why American beef would go up!"
In both cases Argentina and England were forced to annihilate their entire herds and start from scratch!Beef (meat in general) is an internationally traded commodity and will be sold to the highest bidder no matter what country they are in.
Here lately,on an almost daily basis I have to explain the trickle down affects of higher fuel costs (I never mention PO).I explain that the cost of fuel increases the costs of the farmer/rancher which is then passed on to the packers,who also have their own cost increases,on top of the increases from the farmer/rancher,which are then passed on to the warehouses who are already struggling with their own fuel related problems,which of course get passed on to the grocer who in turn must raise prices to stay in business.
I also explain the effect ethanol from feeder corn is having on the market-"whatever money is being saved at the pump is more than made up for at the meat counter."
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tyler_JC', ' ')The only truly blameless party is the grocery store itself!
They have every right to inform their consumers that costs are rising and they are merely passing the costs along.
Thank you,we do the best we can.
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Tyler_JC', 'T')he profit margins for grocery stores are notoriously low.
