It’s only a matter of time before consumers and store assistants come to blows because of the frustration of high-cost living. It’s time for retailers to step up the way John Steenhuisen recently did on country duty before we see carnage at the tills, writes Gasant Abarder in a new #SliceofGasant.
Abarder, who recently launched his book, Hack with a Grenade, is among the country’s most influential media voices. Catch his weekly column here, exclusive to Cape {town} Etc.
A few days ago, I woke up to a tweet I was tagged into with a picture of a poster from a major retail chain store that read: “Dear Customers. No pajamas (sic) or night gowns allowed. By management.” I know why I was tagged because I had a penchant during lockdown of wearing my PJs, gown and slippers while going to the shops.
If you happened to see this, I offer my unreserved apology. Although, they didn’t say anything about wearing slippers on the poster. I love a loophole!
My point: it is especially cruel by the retailer and an affront. Retailers should be kinder to their customers. Has management ever considered that maybe, because of the cost of living, all we can afford are PJs, gowns and slippers?
I mean, spare a thought for MPs, who the president reminded us were finding it tough to make ends meet. I mean, they only get paid a minimum of R1-million a year and the only perks are free business class flights and full housing subsidies.
One such MP risked life and limb to travel to the front lines of Ukraine to confirm what we already knew: that the price of cooking oil was killing us. Against the onslaught of fake news, John Steenhuisen took it upon himself to face shelling for the sake of that massive part of our consumer base: the school tuck shop slapchips eater. They can’t have their chips and eat it thanks to the price of chip rolls hiked up by the recent spike in the cost of cooking oil. John was doing it for the kids!
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John’s big takeaway from his matric (retail) rage excursion wasn’t a chip roll. It was the fact that the invasion on Ukraine was pushing up the price of cooking oil and in turn the cost of fried items at school tuckshops. Nobel Prize loading…
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I’m extra sensitive to the poor store assistants and pump attendants who bear the brunt of our frustrations at the price of our groceries, fuel prices and electricity tariffs. It’s not their fault. You waltz into a convenience food store and expect them not to roll their eyes when you ask them to check in the back if they have the one litre variety of 2% milk instead of the two litre bottle so you can stretch your rand? Get out of here! “Sir, if it’s not on the shelf we don’t have it. Is there anything else? Okay. Have a nice day. Further.”
I used to ask myself how fellow South Africans could afford driving the latest luxury sedans and SUVs. Now I have the same question – and envy – when I see someone filling up at the fuel station.
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One would think that the rolling blackouts would offer some respite for those of us who have to make electricity units stretch for longer. But no, like an MP’s belt, it is increasingly difficult to stretch from one pay day to the next as we work out the magical formula of when to buy electricity and how many units at a time.
No household has been left unscathed. Not even our MPs. We’re getting less in our shopping baskets. Baskets, not trolleys. I mean, who can afford to fill up a trolley?
Retailers should really revisit the phrase “retail therapy”. It has taken on a new meaning. They should have sweet sugary drinks on standby for the shock you get when you see how much your monthly shop is costing you.
And be literal about the therapy part, too. Can we have counsellors on standby to talk you through the anxiety at the prospect of your debit card declining?
What about a shopping life coach helping along as a kind of aisle-to-aisle Jiminy Cricket? My shopping conscience would be in my ear saying things like, “Sure, Gasant. You want that butter but do you need it when the margarine is cheaper?” It will sure make a change to the person assigned to tail me to ensure that my PJ, gown and slipper wearing Cape Flats self isn’t uplifting things from the store.
Ultimately, retailers, you need our Randelas. Would you really turn me away if I show up at your store in my PJs, gown and slippers? Would wearing a tuxedo to do my monthly grocery shop be preferable because it would make me a Smart Shopper? Or do you prefer me as a casual shopper in my jeans, t-shirt and sneakers? Questions for the ages.
Instead, shower us with more eBucks, Clubcard and SmartShopper points, and Xtra Savings discounts. That way we can indeed have a nice day further.
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Picture: Unsplash