I have decided that people in Toledo, Ohio should boycott Kroger. But then again, that is just my own personal opinion.
If you wonder why, then click on over to read Judy's Jewels Co-op.
For far too long, Kroger has had a stranglehold on the Toledo grocery market. And now, it appears that Kroger feels absolutely no loyalty or commitment to its Toledo customers. And yet, Kroger has the audacity to suggest that the City of Toledo (read that as Toledo taxpayers) build a new store for them.
I say it is time to boycott Kroger. Maybe then, other grocery stores will have more of an appearance in Toledo and just maybe, just maybe, Kroger will be more responsive and responsible to the Toledo market.
A few suggestions for new grocers in the Toledo market include Sprouts, Trader Joes, and Whole Foods. Meanwhile, perhaps Giant Eagle and Food Town may expand their Toledo market presence.
What do you say?
Let's start Boycott Kroger in Toledo NOW!!!!
13 comments:
Roland,
I have to disagree with you and Judy on this one. As the originally sources Blade story points out, most of the city support is in the way of loans. I have to ask myself therefore, what business with a failing outlet would take loans that smart business acumen says that they would never be able to pay back if restricted only to the revenue of that outlet? Likewise, why would the city stand behind such loans knowing that they will probably never be able to be paid back?
(No forget that last. Toledo has a history of making such loans to failing businesses.)
Let us see if any other chain is willing to open in this location, or if independent ownership steps forward to take over this location before blaming and boycotting Kroger as a business for making for making what they believe is a sound business decision.
http://www.boycottwatch.org/faq.htm
sorry to say it's a waste of energy.
If this is such a great market area, then perhaps you new grocer will come in and fill the space.
There is an existing grocer right next door to the Kroger that triggered this Roland Hansen Commentary.
It is:
Save-A-Lot Store #24335
657 E. Manhattan Blvd.
Toledo, Ohio 43608
Save-A-Lot has been there a number of years now. I guess Kroger cannot stand the competition nor is it willing to be a true and committed community partner.
I have to respond to the preceding comments and questions posed to this entry of mine with a question:
If this is such a bad market area, then why is Save-A-Lot there?
ref: Save-A-Lot website.
Roland,
Kroger has never been known as a low price leader in the way of grocery stores, and that may be why it has not been as successful as Sav-A-Lot.
That still doesn't mean that they should feel obligated to make an unsound business decision. This would be especially true when discussing this issue with a decidedly business unfriendly city government.
Tim,
I understand your perspective. I still plan not to go Krogering, the unhappy place to shop.
I much prefer businesses that are community minded, and not just community minded when it comes to getting a corporate tax write off because they donate to some public event that gives them advertising in return.
A fair profit is not a dirty word with me; however, corporarte greed is.
In another area of America's great free-enterprise, capitalism system totally unrelated to the topic of this specific Roland Hansen Commentary, I just feel compelled to also state that I do not favor the "private business" bonuses being given out to the executives of corporations that reached into the pockets of individual American citizen taxpayers to grab public dollars in order to bailout their inept business decisions that in turn have allowed them to line their own greedy pockets.
Incidentally, I do not understand the concept of "business friendly' or "busisness unfriendly city government" as it relates to capitalism, private business, free-enterprise, entrepeneur endeavors, free from government regulations and entanglements, and the like.
It seems to me that when government can help businesses out, some folks are all in favor of that government involvement. However, those same folks will cry and cry and cry when the government help or assistance might cause them to incur additional costs and thereby reduce the profit margin even if there is still a large profit remaining. On the other hand, I firmly believe private business enterprises and corporations just pass on any additional costs to the consumers who also happen to be the taxpayers which in turn allows the private businesses and corporations to maintain their bloated profits regardless of any additional costs incurred as a result of governmental actions.
This is one my friend, where we will have to agree to disagree. I believe that Kroger has been a good corporate citizen, both here in Toledo and in other cities where they operate. Closing one store does not make them a bad company. In fact, perhaps the city itself should shoulder some of the responsibility for creating or failing to stem the situation that allowed this neighborhood to slide downhill.
As for the bonuses, I don't think that it ever should have been an issue, since I don't believe that the government had any business bailing any private company out. I blame the companies for the bonuses, and I blame the government for the additional billions that will never be recovered from companies like GM and Chrysler.
As to business friendly, all I ask of government is not to bury the private sector in rules, regulations, and inspectors that prevent or make cost prohibitive new businesses that might wish to start up or move to a city. For example:
How many convenience stores should there be in an area, the neighborhood and market will determine.
I find Toledo to be following an increasing government trend to create just such roadblocks.
Tim,
I think we agree more in principle than most people would realize from our short comments here.
You and I just have some different approaches, but I truly believe we have the same goals. It is the details in which we have different approaches to reach the common goal.
I salute you my friend for speaking out and addressing issues with a thinking mind. That is so unlike many, many others who do speak out and either have no thinking minds or who remain behind a cloak of anonymity. Then, there are the masses who don't even bother to be invoved at all.
Roland,
As someone who considers himself my friend (and whom I consider likewise), I am shocked that you would insult me in such a manner.
How will I ever be able retain my reputation after being accused of such heinous acts as thinking?
Another message thread on Kroger may be found on Glass City Jungle where flamers and trolls continue to be allowed to spread slanderous-style comments.
Read it by clicking here.
Unfortunately, what was once my favorite blog to read has become just another political electronic rag, a forum to spread non-news along with allowing anonymous cowardly flamers a breeding grounds in which to throw their barbs of hatred. Shades of National Enquirer. What a pity!
Roland, I have to take issue with a couple of your points. First, the term "corporate greed". Why is it that when a business expects a certain profit margin it is called greed, but when government continues to take away choices by incrementally enhancing their revenues over a period of time that's supposed to be OK? Most businesses cannot as you say simply pass on their expenses to the consumers. There is a limit to the price people will pay for just about everything and eventually they will either go elsewhere to buy the product or find a cheaper substitute. There will be a straw that will break the camel's back.
I am happy that the business model for Save-A-Lot allows them to be successful in that location, but that business model probably explains why Save-A-Lot has neglected the Sylvania and Perrysburg areas. They do business in the places where their business practices work best. Apparently that is not the case for Kroger, and many other businesses that are operating successfully in other areas but for whatever reason they haven't opened for business in that area.
As for Toledo being "business friendly" I don't think that has to involve corporate welfare. A relative tried to expand a business in Toledo several years ago buy purchasing and improving a vacant adjacent property with his own money. The fees, inspections and red tape took months and caused a great deal of lost opportunity that would have also meant increased revenue for the city. He's currently working on another expansion and its been deja vu all over again for over a year. From what I hear this is not uncommon in business friendly Toledo.
Bob (bobthedad),
Thank you for your comments. I understand your perspective and can appreciate your well thought out and informed views.
In regards to my use of the term "corporate greed" I realize that I have used it in an over-generalized manner. I do so in the sense that some businesses, e.g. Enron, Halliburton, and other similarly operated corporations, have in my opinion conducted business practices in a manner that I consider to be less than honest in order to maximize profits with minimal or no moral standards. I acknowledge my terminology is somewhat vague and generalized; I do so in my own feeble attempt to illustrate the passions of my perspective.
Your comments concerning the Save-A-Lot business model have provided me with some food for thought in that I have not previously given much consideration of that aspect of the business world.
Thank you again for your comments and for giving me something more about which to think. Your input has given me the desire to explore some more on the overall subject, to gather more information, and consequently, my quest for further knowledge will enable me to continue learning.
Roland,
Belatedly though it is, I believe that Kroger is the best judge when it comes to business decisions.
I blame those that let the neighborhood deteriorate to the point that a very large business finds it an unprofitable place to continue doing business.
(By that, I mean the City of Toledo.)
Obviously I don't have a dog in this hunt, but I found it curious to see this right after reading that Kroger is building a new store in my area- not 5 miles from it's biggest and highest-traffic store in Fort Wayne.
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