Spar, Centra, Mace, Londis etc

Mike 1972 · 20-01-2010 12:57AM

They took our Jawbs................

So youve seen all their passports have you ?

bonerm · 20-01-2010 12:57AM

Yeah I do think there is too many. For one thing I remember going for an job interview on Parnell St (Dublin) once. I rang the employer saying I'd made it to Parnell St and asked for directions to the address itself. She told me "it's on the end of the street". I asked "which end?" She says "the end with the Centra shop on it".

.....It turned out there was a Centra on BOTH ends of the street.

Tchaikovsky · 20-01-2010 01:00AM

Mike 1972 wrote: »

They took our Jawbs................

Yawn

Linku · 20-01-2010 01:00AM

starbelgrade wrote: »

Well it's a lot easier to buy Irish products if you don't shop in these franchises.

Most of these shops are owned by Irish wholesellers who still source most of their products from within the country, unlike the supermarkets (Dunnes included) who have started bypassing Irish wholesellers for cheaper products from abroad. I don't know where you're suggesting going that stock a lot more Irish products, because between the convenience stores and the supermarkets, it's pretty much the same amount, and there's not one 'independent' shop anywhere near me anyway, and again it'd probably be the same deal...

yoshytoshy · 20-01-2010 01:00AM

Tchaikovsky wrote: »

By the wa, I've never, ever, ever seen an Irish person working in these shops in Dublin.
Seriously, wouldn't it make more sense to hire local people rather than predominanly non-EU people (it seems it's mostly Pakistanis and Indians these days)?
Something fishy.

It's not fishy ,they've always been working hard.
It's the recession thats the problem ,everyone else is loosing there jobs now.

stepbar · 20-01-2010 01:01AM

The only thing I'd EVER buy in a convience store would be Milk (and even at that only if you were stuck), a Paper and Cigarettes. Thats it. Because for anything else, you might as well go in with a sign on your back saying "Roide Me".....

The Big Red Button · 20-01-2010 01:02AM

darkman2 wrote: »

Cos they are the only shops now in my near enough vicinity.:rolleyes:

darkman2 wrote: »

No, I go to other stores when I can. But in my locality, i.e within 25 minute walking distance, these are the only two stores.

How convenient.

In fact, one could almost refer to them as "convenience stores".

You know, you could almost understand them charging a premium price to account for this "convenience" when it comes to opening hours and location ...

4zn76tysfajdxp · 20-01-2010 01:02AM

Dudess wrote: »

Is any other town/city in Ireland being swallowed up by a sea of Subway, like Cork?

There were some floods in Galway a few months ago.

Dudess · 20-01-2010 01:04AM

Tchaikovsky wrote: »

By the wa, I've never, ever, ever seen an Irish person working in these shops in Dublin.
Seriously, wouldn't it make more sense to hire local people rather than predominanly non-EU people (it seems it's mostly Pakistanis and Indians these days)?
Something fishy.

Cheaper labour, lack of interest from local people. It's hardly a "PC" policy of favouring foreigners.

mackeminexile · 20-01-2010 01:04AM

Seriously OP, have you nothing better to do. Blatant anti English rubbish. As for the posts about foreign nationals working in 'convenience' stores; it's because they are prepared to work mad hours for little money, instead of complaining that there's no work out there, unlike a lot of people.

mike65 · 20-01-2010 01:06AM

Tchaikovsky wrote: »

By the wa, I've never, ever, ever seen an Irish person working in these shops in Dublin.
Seriously, wouldn't it make more sense to hire local people rather than predominanly non-EU people (it seems it's mostly Pakistanis and Indians these days)?
Something fishy.

My local Centra is quite large the prices are notably more competitive than a couple of years ago and is staffed mainly by Irish locals, however Lidl is still cheaper so i usualy go there where the staff are mainly east European.

starbelgrade · 20-01-2010 01:07AM

Linku wrote: »

Most of these shops are owned by Irish wholesellers who still source most of their products from within the country, unlike the supermarkets (Dunnes included) who have started bypassing Irish wholesellers for cheaper products from abroad. I don't know where you're suggesting going that stock a lot more Irish products, because between the convenience stores and the supermarkets, it's pretty much the same amount, and there's not one 'independent' shop anywhere near me anyway, and again it'd probably be the same deal...

My local shop stocks a huge amount of locally produced stuff, the fruit & veg shop sources everything it can from local farms (all the veg, and some fruit - some fruits obviously have to be imported) & the local butcher gets all his meat from his own farm, or other local producers.

And no, I don't live on the set of the "League of Gentlemen"!

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 20-01-2010 01:08AM

We sold out to the Brits years ago. Get over it. They're selling out to the yanks as we speak. Ig vie it five years before everything's a Wal-Mart.

Tchaikovsky · 20-01-2010 01:12AM

I said it was fishy because I doubt that the government are handing out that many work visas when there are nearly half a million unemployed here.
If they're here on student visas, however, they can only work part-time.

Dudess · 20-01-2010 01:14AM

They could still be working 30 hours a week though. They have massive student loans to repay.

starbelgrade · 20-01-2010 01:14AM

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Ig vie it five years before everything's a Wal-Mart.

Ig vie it five years? Ah, you german boys are just jealous that McDonalds did a better job of taking over the planet than youse did!

sron · 20-01-2010 01:15AM

I have no preference to a cashier of any particular colour; I am however, annoyed by the obscene amount of Spars, Centras, Londii, McDonalds and Burger Kings one can see by walking down Grafton St. through to the far end of O'Connell St. It's a pity that our two most famous cities are almost indistinguishable from any English street.
If the Corporation had any sense they'd put restrictions on the franchises and support independent businesses like in Paris or Rome. Instead they're probably concocting a plan to join the LUAS lines via the DART lines via the Grand Canal.

yoshytoshy · 20-01-2010 01:16AM

Tchaikovsky wrote: »

I said it was fishy because I doubt that the government are handing out that many work visas when there are nearly half a million unemployed here.
If they're here on student visas, however, they can only work part-time.

Any girls and guys I see working in spars ,work at least twelve hour shifts regurlarly.
If they were doing short hours to avoid paying tax ,then I'd be suspicous.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 20-01-2010 01:17AM

starbelgrade wrote: »

Ig vie it five years? Ah, you german boys are just jealous that McDonalds did a better job of taking over the planet than youse did!

French.

Dudess · 20-01-2010 01:18AM

Have you been on the Buckfast, Ik?

Tchaikovsky · 20-01-2010 01:18AM

I've no doubt they're working full-time shifts; the employers should get a hefty fine for it!

Pride Fighter · 20-01-2010 01:24AM

Linku wrote: »

Typical AH anti-UK bs without facts thrown in for no reason.

Musgraves, a private Irish company own Centra in Ireland and own Londis in the UK. The Londis brand in Ireland is owned by ADM Londis plc., and Irish publically listed company.

Another private Irish wholeseller, BWG Foods own the Mace, Spar and XL Stop & Shop brands in Ireland.

I'm pretty sure all of these stores are franchised, owned by local people, so very little of the money leaves the country.

Shut up with you're logic. This is AH. Those Brits occupied us for 800 years now they are taking our jobs and women.

It has to stop.

yoshytoshy · 20-01-2010 01:25AM

Tchaikovsky wrote: »

I've no doubt they're working full-time shifts; the employers should get a hefty fine for it!

I don't understand ?

Surely full time employment is good for people ,if more people were part time ,then it probably wouldn't be worth the employers while having all the staff on the books.

starbelgrade · 20-01-2010 01:26AM

sron wrote: »

I am however, annoyed by the obscene amount of Spars, Centras, Londii, McDonalds and Burger Kings one can see by walking down Grafton St. through to the far end of O'Connell St. It's a pity that our two most famous cities are almost indistinguishable from any English street.
If the Corporation had any sense they'd put restrictions on the franchises and support independent businesses like in Paris or Rome.

There are 9 McDonalds in the centre of Paris, including outlets on their most famous streets - Avenue des Champs-Elysées, Boulevard Montmartre, Rue de Rennes & Boulevard Saint-Michel. They also have Spars.

Rome has 3 Burger Kings & several Maccie D's.

Linku · 20-01-2010 01:31AM

starbelgrade wrote: »

There are 9 McDonalds in the centre of Paris, including outlets on their most famous streets - Avenue des Champs-Elysées, Boulevard Montmartre, Rue de Rennes & Boulevard Saint-Michel. They also have Spars.

Rome has 3 Burger Kings & several Maccie D's.

Indeed, One of the largest McDonalds in the world is right beside the Spanish Steps in Rome...

starbelgrade · 20-01-2010 01:33AM

Linku wrote: »

Indeed, One of the largest McDonalds in the world is right beside the Spanish Steps in Rome...

Isn't it comforting to know that wherever you go, you can look at the world's greatest monuments to architecture, history & culture whilst eating a burger that tastes just the same as the one you're used to eating back home? And who'd want to go to Italy & have to eat their foreign muck?

God bless the Golden Arches.

Seanohea · 20-01-2010 01:39AM

I think it's great, ur never stuck for a paper or coffee when walking around town. I lived in London for a year and there is no sign of all these londis and spar shops people are talking about, not even a 1/4 the amount, there is ****ty overpriced independent "food and wine" shops about but they're **** compared to the ease of getting a paper and a few things in any spar or londis over here. And as for the delis in spar and londis, they're great, really missed them when I was in London, only place u get a sandwich made up for u to go that I could find was subway, you can't beat a good chicken fillet roll

)

starbelgrade · 20-01-2010 01:42AM

Seanohea wrote: »

I think it's great, ur never stuck for a paper or coffee when walking around town. I lived in London for a year and there is no sign of all these londis and spar shops people are talking about, not even a 1/4 the amount, there is ****ty overpriced independent "food and wine" shops about but they're **** compared to the ease of getting a paper and a few things in any spar or londis over here. And as for the delis in spar and londis, they're great, really missed them when I was in London, only place u get a sandwich made up for u to go that I could find was subway, you can't beat a good chicken fillet roll )

You might be able to get a chicken fillet roll in an Irish store, but they won't sell you booze at 5am, under the counter, like they do in London!

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 20-01-2010 01:45AM

Dudess wrote: »

Have you been on the Buckfast, Ik?

Ich wish!

K-9 · 20-01-2010 01:48AM

superscouse wrote: »

Just to let you know:

Centra is irish, independantly owned stores operating under the brand Centra (and Supervalu). Musgrave in cork are the head company. Very Irish.

Londis is irish, independantly owned stores operating under the brand Londis. Adm Londis are the head company in Johnstown, just outside Naas who own, the brand Very Irish. The have no connection to any foreign londis.

Spar is again an irish operated company. Irish rights owned by BWG foods in Walkinstown. Most stores independantly operated and owned.

They are all irish, not foreign.

But you are right about the amount of them. When you have two spars and a londis on one street, its taking the mickey. I believe the two spars closed down. This was Gardner street in dublin.

All members of RGDATA? Just wondering.

Dudess wrote: »

Is any other town/city in Ireland being swallowed up by a sea of Subway, like Cork?

Tchaikovsky wrote: »

By the wa, I've never, ever, ever seen an Irish person working in these shops in Dublin.
Seriously, wouldn't it make more sense to hire local people rather than predominanly non-EU people (it seems it's mostly Pakistanis and Indians these days)?
Something fishy.

Maybe they are more reliable and likely to turn up on a Sat/Sun morning?

Linku wrote: »

Most of these shops are owned by Irish wholesellers who still source most of their products from within the country, unlike the supermarkets (Dunnes included) who have started bypassing Irish wholesellers for cheaper products from abroad. I don't know where you're suggesting going that stock a lot more Irish products, because between the convenience stores and the supermarkets, it's pretty much the same amount, and there's not one 'independent' shop anywhere near me anyway, and again it'd probably be the same deal...

Dunnes, Superquinn and Tesco bypass the wholesaler, who wants their cut.

In fairness, my local Centra and Londis are very good and doing their best. They have to being 10 miles from the border.

They seem to always employ married middled aged women though! Discrimination!

Spar, Centra, Mace, Londis etc

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