Food for thought (From Malvern Gazette)

Food for thought

4:30pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Letters

I RECEIVED the following information from Michael Adenmosum, regional development executive of Sainsbury’s this week which may be useful for residents to think about. He was replying to my question about the extent of nonfood products to be stocked.

“It is intended that no more than 25 per cent would be non-food products.

The proposed store is around 30,000sq ft, which is a third smaller than the store in Hereford and is by no means one of our larger stores, so the 25 per cent floor space when split across the eight product areas is not that large meaning there will be a fairly minimal product choice. As a business we need to offer a similar shopping experience to these stores, which means offering some non-food items so that residents who shop elsewhere will visit the store.

Typically they would be divided across the following product categories:
􀁥 Audio-visual, including digital media, phones, DVDs, CDs and computer games (2.5 per cent of floor area);
􀁥 Books and stationery/games, toys and hobbies (5.6 per cent);
􀁥 Consumer electrics including appliances and accessories (2.7 per cent);
􀁥 Household goods including glassware, tableware and household utensils (2.9 per cent);
􀁥 Household textiles (1.7 per cent); 􀁥 Clothing including children’s (5.5 per cent);
􀁥 Car/DIY (0.2 per cent);
􀁥 Seasonal ranges etc. (3.9 per cent).

“The percentage of floor space taken is relatively low when split across the categories. Where possible we have reacted to the needs and desires of the public expressed during consultation.”
BARRY SHARPLES
Bosbury