Post by Veem on Mar 16, 2022 17:42:19 GMT 1
Apologies in advance for this lengthy post.
Our local Intermarche has been undergoing a total refurbishment since about November and is now on the final lap. It began with replacing the roof and thereafter concentrated on the inside layout. The store has continued trading throughout, whilst completely renewing all fridges, freezers, shelving units and layout of the store. It has made shopping quite a challenge as products moved from place to place and were constantly changing. On the whole, the arrangement of products is now far more logical and makes finding things on my list somewhat easier; household goods to the right, fridges and freezers along the front near the new tills, all fresh goods eg meat, fish, fruit & veg, cheese and bread in the centre and all other foodstuffs and drinks on the left.
But, the fresh cheese counter is no more. No longer can I choose to have a specific sized piece from a wide variety of cheeses. No longer is there a knowledgeable member of staff ask advice from. Instead, we have a self service chilled unit with a very limited choice of wrapped (but not branded) cheeses. Other branded cheeses are as before in the fridges.
The fish counter has shrunk. The choice of fresh fish is to say the least disappointing, mostly because those I used to buy regularly, now seem to appear at rarely.
The butcher's counter is noticeably smaller and the choice of fresh poultry has been reduced. The chilled cabinets with wrapped cuts has grown significantly.
The deli has completely disappeared. Gone is the selection of cold meats, specialist salads and prepared dishes, pates, terrines etc.
Many familiar staff faces have disappeared too as more and more products have become increasingly 'self service' and have done away with the need for an assistant.
What does this say about French shopping habits and the renowned madame's insistence on top fresh quality and choice?
One of our favourite cheeses is Bleu des Causses. I can now only buy it 30km away. If supermarkets stop ordering these specialist cheeses, what will happen to the producers?
I thought half way through the works that the new 'improved' store was going to be a brilliant upgrade, but now I definitely feel disappointed.
Is this happening elsewhere?
Our local Intermarche has been undergoing a total refurbishment since about November and is now on the final lap. It began with replacing the roof and thereafter concentrated on the inside layout. The store has continued trading throughout, whilst completely renewing all fridges, freezers, shelving units and layout of the store. It has made shopping quite a challenge as products moved from place to place and were constantly changing. On the whole, the arrangement of products is now far more logical and makes finding things on my list somewhat easier; household goods to the right, fridges and freezers along the front near the new tills, all fresh goods eg meat, fish, fruit & veg, cheese and bread in the centre and all other foodstuffs and drinks on the left.
But, the fresh cheese counter is no more. No longer can I choose to have a specific sized piece from a wide variety of cheeses. No longer is there a knowledgeable member of staff ask advice from. Instead, we have a self service chilled unit with a very limited choice of wrapped (but not branded) cheeses. Other branded cheeses are as before in the fridges.
The fish counter has shrunk. The choice of fresh fish is to say the least disappointing, mostly because those I used to buy regularly, now seem to appear at rarely.
The butcher's counter is noticeably smaller and the choice of fresh poultry has been reduced. The chilled cabinets with wrapped cuts has grown significantly.
The deli has completely disappeared. Gone is the selection of cold meats, specialist salads and prepared dishes, pates, terrines etc.
Many familiar staff faces have disappeared too as more and more products have become increasingly 'self service' and have done away with the need for an assistant.
What does this say about French shopping habits and the renowned madame's insistence on top fresh quality and choice?
One of our favourite cheeses is Bleu des Causses. I can now only buy it 30km away. If supermarkets stop ordering these specialist cheeses, what will happen to the producers?
I thought half way through the works that the new 'improved' store was going to be a brilliant upgrade, but now I definitely feel disappointed.
Is this happening elsewhere?