This is a letter to our local grocers.
I write on behalf of myself and many friends who would like to support our local businesses and often go out of their way to do so. Yet, many seniors in the area are now ordering groceries from Walmart.
I’ve watched people in our two local grocery stores shaking their heads in frustration as produce prices rise and quality declines. Rubbery broccoli, bruised fruit, limp lettuce – all at prices most of us can’t afford. The Saturday market is wonderful, but for obvious reasons, farm produce is still more expensive than retail.
Although I boycott Walmart for its Third-World exploitation, their delivery service is the best solution. If they (or anyone) deliver to 20 seniors, that’s 20 fewer seniors on the road, which is better for the planet and easier on the seniors in terms of gas and not having to carry groceries. Also, from what I hear, the produce that Walmart delivers is fresher because of the high turnover. And their prices are significantly lower than our local retailers, also because of volume.
Perhaps the local grocers can’t compete with Walmart, and that’s just the future, along with Amazon, Wayfair and Temu. In the meantime, our government is pushing forth a “voluntary grocery code of conduct,” which Walmart and Loblaws refuse to sign, saying that it will result in higher consumer prices. Indeed, a similar one was implemented in Australia. Although it gave suppliers a break, it did result in higher consumer prices.
But consumers are at their limit. It’s no secret that retail prices have doubled in a few years since the pandemic began in 2020 and that retail profits went from two to four per cent during the same time. That’s just wrong, yet there’s nothing anyone can do about it, thanks to capitalism.
I would like to continue to shop locally instead of giving my hard-earned dollars to Walmart, but if I can save money, get fresher produce and have it delivered to my door, it becomes a moot argument. Perhaps our local grocers could enlighten the community about whether we can hope for improved pricing/quality soon.
Lorrie Beauchamp
Sooke Resident