[coylemj]

'Two pallets' minimum delivery for those prices probably implies whole pallets of one vegetable e.g. one pallet of cucumbers and one pallet of tomatoes, this would rule out these prices as applicable to all but the large supermarkets.

Virtually all small retailers buy from fuit and veg importers/distributors so there is an extra layer of profit and costs involved, thus those prices you're quoting are not applicable to the local corner shop at all.

[davo10]

Originally Posted by Jm2000

That's the kind of transparency people don't see, when they go into a shop, all those over heads? ,that's what we are paying for! now here's is a solution, setup a direct charge coop. say 50 like minded people group together & order in bulk direct for the supplier & i there isn't vat on fruit & veg.

If you get 50 like minded people together to buy from a supplier, a certain degree of friendship/understanding is required, if one starts to undercut the others, they would be excluded from the group, in other words it would be what is termed a "cartel". Nice idea though.

[Bruthal]

Originally Posted by davo10

If you get 50 like minded people together to buy from a supplier, a certain degree of friendship/understanding is required, if one starts to undercut the others, they would be excluded from the group, in other words it would be what is termed a "cartel". Nice idea though.

Some cartels eliminate rather than exclude

[91011]

The whoesale fruit & veg market in Dublin is open to the public - if you can use a box of tomatoes / box of grapes, just drop down and any of the stalls / units will be very happy to sell to you close enough to the prices stated in the OP

In fact up to a few years ago (ok a fair few years ago) the market prices for the top 20 fruit & veg were printed in the Irish Times business section.

[Oryx]

Only someone who has never tried to run a retail business would call the above a rip off. Its normal economics. As has been suggested, why dont you try it, if you think its easy? But before you plan the cruise youll take with your profit, please factor in:
Wastage/shrinkage which in fruit and veg could take a substantial % of your profit.
Rent, unless youre planning to sell from the boot of your car.
Wages. Cabbages dont stack themselves.
PRSI and PAYE to go with those wages.
Rates, calculated by the sq footage of your premises. A good few grand a year.
Water rates. Even if all you have is a tap.
Incidental costs, packaging, till stationery, cleaning products.
Advertising. You cant sell a dollar for 99c without telling someone.
Refuse charges. Which with pallets and boxes and waste veg, will be expensive.
Public liability insurance. In case someone slips on a banana.
Electricity. Shoppers wont buy in the dark.
Bank charges. They charge businesses to lodge money. Did you know that?
Accountants fees. Unless you are particularly tax savvy.
Repairs and maintenance. Things break, all the time.
Transport costs. Not everything has free delivery.
Security. Youd think noone would burgle a fruit and veg shop, but youd be surprised.

And lastly, youve got the worry of not having a regular paypacket, and hoping your sales figures for the next month will be enough to meet your outgoings.

If it was that easy we would all be retailers. Those are the reasons most are not.

[Bruthal]

Originally Posted by Oryx

Wages. Cabbages dont stack themselves.
.

Some cabbages actually take wages

[91011]

I'll try and put estimated costs based on a 600sq ft store (small) in a town such as Carlow

Wastage/shrinkage which in fruit and veg could take a substantial % of your profit. - 20% on average
Rent, unless youre planning to sell from the boot of your car. €20,000 per year
Wages. Cabbages dont stack themselves. 2 x part time 1 x full time €40,000 / year
PRSI and PAYE to go with those wages. €4000
Rates, calculated by the sq footage of your premises. A good few grand a year. €5000
Water rates. Even if all you have is a tap. Minimum €600 for basic useage.
Incidental costs, packaging, till stationery, cleaning products. about €3000 per year
Advertising. You cant sell a dollar for 99c without telling someone. about €5000 / year
Refuse charges. Which with pallets and boxes and waste veg, will be expensive. €1500 per year
Public liability insurance. In case someone slips on a banana. €3000 / year
Electricity. Shoppers wont buy in the dark. €1500 / year
Bank charges. They charge businesses to lodge money. Did you know that? about €1000 + interest on business loan €2000
Accountants fees. Unless you are particularly tax savvy. - If hes nice €4000
Repairs and maintenance. Things break, all the time. circa €1500
Transport costs. Not everything has free delivery. €1000
Security. Youd think no-one would burgle a fruit and veg shop, but youd be surprised. €1000


That's probably about the absolute minimum you will spend on a years trading in a small shop in a small town.

That a lot of apples you need to sell.

[Bruthal]

Definitely a difficult business to be in, i never was, but i dont think it takes much cop on to realise its very hard. Especially when you see the costs involved there.