Martin Crumpton, chair of Keep Llangollen Special, comments on the recent announcement of a 3.1% dip in like-for-like sales for Sainsbury's, which is due to open a new supermarket in the town.
"Sainsbury’s shareholders may finally steer the company away from Big Box, local economy devouring formats, given the disappointing results announced yesterday – over 3% down.
It’s also been bad news for Tesco, Morrisons, and tipped the balance to the German discounters such as Aldi and Lidl. As the BBC’s Robert Peston points out, none of them can blame the economy: Shoppers are changing how they shop.
There’s no conceit or smugness in stating that Keep Llangollen Special has played a part in re-introducing shoppers to value of the little bit of extra time involved in buying local for better quality, better service, better value for money and a slower, more enjoyable and healthier experience. The major supermarkets are starting to pay for perpetuating the myth they created of being
cheaper.
KLS was one of the first pioneers of Buy Local, now in its third year since we started it here, thriving and still growing. Saturdays in Llangollen used to be tranquil, shopper-free days. Visit our butchers on a Saturday and they’re humming with customers, and Saturdays aren’t Buy Local days! Twitter and Facebook are buzzing with converts, and both me and Mike Edwards’ messages are reaching millions, alongside so many others promoting this change of lifestyle.
So much so that April 14th has been dedicated nationally to Buy Local. That means a one-off change of day for us – we usually organise these events for the second Friday of each month – and it’s so rewarding to see how many have tried Buy Local and then kept it up.
See you in Town on Saturday!"
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