Jim recently did a quick explantion of how the numbers could be made up in a store that size. I think what is happening here is that just a list of roles are being put up and piles of applications will be placed (digitally) next to the vacancies.
Sainsbury job vacancies - sounds fine to me. Do you want it specified which checkout the successful candidate will work on, and what his/her shifts are to be in a job ad?
The answer is partially the need for flexibility - running a retail operation carries with it the need to deal with unplanned events.
Staff who don't turn in for their planned shift is the obvious one, but other things go wrong too. Deliveries don't turn up when scheduled, but arrive rather later (is the A9 blocked again?) need special work to check them in and get them out onto the shelves. Emergency cleanups - who dropped that large jar of pickled beetroot? - or that cardboard box containing 10-packs of freerange eggs? - they all need dealing with el pronto. Surprising how much time is spent by managers, supervisors and staff in just dealing with disasters. No room for people who try to work to their job description and rostered hours. They don't last long.
Now, about your nom-de-plume. I am a great admirer of what Lidl do in Forres. But remember, they ARE NOT running a full service supermarket. Have you noticed how few staff they run with? Do you notice just how hard Mike the manager works, doing everything and more alongside his staff?
Lidl carry a limited range compared with Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury, ASDA, even Waitrose. But what they do is to keep their prices and cost overheads LOW. The products on their shelves may not be the brand leaders, but unless you insist on only Heinz or Birds Eye, they are perfectly satisfactory, even though you don't see them advertised on TV. Lidl bulk buy a limited range, offer splendid discounting on these, and produce attractive special offer leaflets available in store or dropped through letterboxes in rotation - so in Nairn you won't receive them every week.
But the Sainsbury offer is entirely different. They provide a huge range of stock lines, ambient, fresh, chilled and frozen. No doubt there will be an off-licence too. Brand leaders, lesser brands, own-label and basic buys will all be there. Don't know what's planned for Nairn, but elsewhere their stores provide non-foods in the shape of consumer electronics, clothes, hardware. They also open for extended hours, which puts their costs up.
Sainsbury could be described as a full-service supermarket. Lidl are a discounter on a limited range. I think that sums it up. Lidl can't be cheaper if they don't sell it!
Yes, you are absolutely right - Sainsbury will be out to win customers from the Co-Ops, and the stores in Forres and Inverness. There will be very attractive opening offers, and if you find a deep discount on something you buy regularly, buy it in bulk when you see it. Put a spare freezer in your garage and fill it, if you can afford to.
Price competition between supermarkets can only help the consumer.
Just a footnote to my previous posting - it may come as a surprise to some that the Lidl store at Forres has only EIGHT staff in total (one more starts soon).
The staff turn in at SIX a.m. to put the new stock out and take deliveries, and open the doors from eight a.m. to eight p.m. (On Sunday they quit at six).
That's why they always seem busy. It also explains why they hire young and fit people who can keep up the pace.
I know a few manager's posts have already been advertised, but this recent list counts up to 20. A little short of the promised 300 jobs?
ReplyDeleteJim recently did a quick explantion of how the numbers could be made up in a store that size.
ReplyDeleteI think what is happening here is that just a list of roles are being put up and piles of applications will be placed (digitally) next to the vacancies.
Fair enough, but many of the roles are duplicated in this list of vacancies
ReplyDeletePoor old co-opie might suffer as staff and customers migrate
Dear Lidl etc.
ReplyDeleteSainsbury job vacancies - sounds fine to me. Do you want it specified which checkout the successful candidate will work on, and what his/her shifts are to be in a job ad?
The answer is partially the need for flexibility - running a retail operation carries with it the need to deal with unplanned events.
Staff who don't turn in for their planned shift is the obvious one, but other things go wrong too. Deliveries don't turn up when scheduled, but arrive rather later (is the A9 blocked again?) need special work to check them in and get them out onto the shelves. Emergency cleanups - who dropped that large jar of pickled beetroot? - or that cardboard box containing 10-packs of freerange eggs? - they all need dealing with el pronto. Surprising how much time is spent by managers, supervisors and staff in just dealing with disasters. No room for people who try to work to their job description and rostered hours. They don't last long.
Now, about your nom-de-plume. I am a great admirer of what Lidl do in Forres. But remember, they ARE NOT running a full service supermarket. Have you noticed how few staff they run with? Do you notice just how hard Mike the manager works, doing everything and more alongside his staff?
Lidl carry a limited range compared with Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury, ASDA, even Waitrose. But what they do is to keep their prices and cost overheads LOW. The products on their shelves may not be the brand leaders, but unless you insist on only Heinz or Birds Eye, they are perfectly satisfactory, even though you don't see them advertised on TV.
Lidl bulk buy a limited range, offer splendid discounting on these, and produce attractive special offer leaflets available in store or dropped through letterboxes in rotation - so in Nairn you won't receive them every week.
But the Sainsbury offer is entirely different. They provide a huge range of stock lines, ambient, fresh, chilled and frozen. No doubt there will be an off-licence too. Brand leaders, lesser brands, own-label and basic buys will all be there. Don't know what's planned for Nairn, but elsewhere their stores provide non-foods in the shape of consumer electronics, clothes, hardware. They also open for extended hours, which puts their costs up.
Sainsbury could be described as a full-service supermarket. Lidl are a discounter on a limited range. I think that sums it up. Lidl can't be cheaper if they don't sell it!
Yes, you are absolutely right - Sainsbury will be out to win customers from the Co-Ops, and the stores in Forres and Inverness. There will be very attractive opening offers, and if you find a deep discount on something you buy regularly, buy it in bulk when you see it. Put a spare freezer in your garage and fill it, if you can afford to.
Price competition between supermarkets can only help the consumer.
Just a footnote to my previous posting - it may come as a surprise to some that the Lidl store at Forres has only EIGHT staff in total (one more starts soon).
ReplyDeleteThe staff turn in at SIX a.m. to put the new stock out and take deliveries, and open the doors from eight a.m. to eight p.m. (On Sunday they quit at six).
That's why they always seem busy. It also explains why they hire young and fit people who can keep up the pace.
I take my hat off to them.