"Joseph Oberlander" wrote in message
nk.net...
George M. Middius wrote:


Obie said:


Trader Joe's(small chain in California) has literally half the markup of
Vons/Safeway and yet is planning on expanding 100 stores in the next
three years.

Even with the current pay, the companies are still making money hand
over fist.


They don't pay union wages, do they. And they only sell packaged
goods, which require less labor to display. No meat to cut, no produce
to uncrate and place in neat piles.

Actually, they do have a bakery section and produce section. The meat is
pre-packaged, but it's not something they sell a lot of - it's there
mostly as specialty items like sausage and imported cheeses the grocery
stores don't carry.

The fact is, they operate a grocery store. They pay nearly the same
wages as the big chains. They operate on a 80-100% markup over cost,
as opposed to the local Ralph's at 225% right next door. The same
milk and eggs - half as much across the street. $2 a pound for butter.
Chicken Bullion $2.69 and $4.59(Ralphs) Same exact products.

Yet they make more than enough money to expand. That the large
chains are squabbling over a little pay when they are turning
billions in profits per year is silly.

It wouold be if it were true they were making billions.
Where are the figures for their profits, or are you just regurgitating the
union rhetoric?