makro imported foods

[barbara's bush]

having just returned from a short trip to pattaya i have to inform the udon residents that makro there has a extensive range of farang foods available (mainly imported uk goods) very similar to a local retailer.Having made a few calls it seem this is also true of bangkok, i don't know about phuket. But it does seem realistic that this same range could end up in udon. Would this mean to harsh a competition for local retailers such as nang nee, carrefour, and especially chern chim, who surely could not compete with the superstores buying power. Would you go to the cheaper store or support your local retailers. =D>

[Texpat]

Why would a farang come to Thailand to support a multinational blight on an otherwise cheap and nutritious local culinary smorgasbord? The donuts and cookies and cakes and similar nonsense offered by these predatory, massive behemoths, only degrade the life of a typical Thai. Shame on them.

[Funman]

Yep degrading the TYPICAL life of a Thai from laying around drinking rice whiskey, selling their daughters, having them working as hookers for money for mama, getting the farang ATM, making babies and then hitting the road never to support them Etc. What a fine noble people.

[Khun Paul]

It has been my observations over the past few years that many Thais are dipping their feet into the international food availability, while in doing so their waistlines seem to be getting bigger, the fact that they are is a bonus for us (westerners) who on the odd occasion crave a Western Food binge.
Bangkok has to my mind always offered the food, Subway, macdonalds, KFC, Pizza hut etc are all places in bangkok even 10 years ago. As for buying western food even then one could buy it in bangkok, now that as posted Makro is seemingly intending to provide it to the masses is an interesting point.
Would I buy their rather than our local providers in the form of Chern Chim, Nobis and others who do provide good quality food and cold emats etc at reasonable prices.
The simple answers is maybe especially if the prepacked tins, dry foods etc were readily available and at a reasonable price, however a note of caution here, oft times I have gone to Makro only to find as their logistics are not that good an item they normally stock is out of stock and it takes up to two weeks to replenish the shelves.
Our local grocers as it were have conquered this matter and I rarely enter these establishments to find that they are out of stock and also being able to buy FRESH foods in a clean and polite establishment is always a bonus.
Makro also will stock the items they think ( a dangerous thing for them to do ....think ) Thais will buy, in their stock planning, we Foreigners are rarely included in customers likes and dislikes, so if up here for example the Thais do not want some of the sauces we all like, they will not stock them, and unlike the UK, if you know you can get this item in bangkok but not Udon, they will not arrange for it to be brought to Udon YOU have to go to bangkok to get it, even though they have delivery trucks coming from their Main distibution centres on a daily basis.

[trubrit]

I think with the relatively easy and cheap travel available, foods are becoming an international product. Okay with sometimes a distinct local flavour but nether less using the same basic ingredients . After all. A pig is a pig. Whether you serve it roasted with baked potatoes and sprouts or if you dice it and serve with a spicy sauce, the ingredients or substitutes are readily available in both London or Bangkok .There are many shops specialising in most ethnic foods , both restaurants and mini marts ,throughout the UK, all seemingly profitable, despite the proliferation of the giant supermarkets . These places often become like social centers where the native immigrants post job and other ads specific to them , and gather for a chat on Sundays . I see no reason to be fearful of the many English, German and many others being less successful here .

[tomboy]

Tops here in Udon carry an extensive range of UK foods.Weetabix,Oxo cubes,Bisto, Sauces,Waitrose jams and frozen foods as well as Bird's custard powder and Paxo stuffing.The fresh meat counter is by far the best quality in town.

[polehawk]

I didn't even know that Makro had an outlet in Pattaya but will look for it now that I've learned that they are stocking imported foods. Hopefully will find some American brands as well. Usually load up on these goods at Villa Market and Carrefour when in Pattaya.

Speaking of Carrefour, it seems to me that the store in Udon displayed some hard to find imported foods when they first opened but as these items sold out then they didn't replenish their stocks. Items such as pretzels, gnocchi dumplings, Kraft macaroni, cereals, etc. No huge problem but will have to make those shopping excursions to Bangkok and Pattaya more frequently again.

[barbara's bush]

when the arrival of imported stock arrives it will benefit a lot of local business, eg anywhere that offers farang food as the cheaper prices they will offer will hopefully reflect in the quality that is served, i.e no more nasty beans on your breakfasts. But it could be the death bell for a minority of retailers that sell similar goods.(perhaps this is the reason some are already up for sale (just a thought).Without sounding to gloomy it will benefit many but have some casualties and maybe our baht can go a bit further

[pienmash]

having just returned from a short trip to pattaya i have to inform the udon residents that makro there has a extensive range of farang foods available (mainly imported uk goods) very similar to a local retailer.Having made a few calls it seem this is also true of bangkok, i don't know about phuket. But it does seem realistic that this same range could end up in udon. Would this mean to harsh a competition for local retailers such as nang nee, carrefour, and especially chern chim, who surely could not compete with the superstores buying power. Would you go to the cheaper store or support your local retailers. =D>

Just to clarify the situation ref Makro and imported foods / dry goods .

I am financially involved in the importing company that brings these products from both the UK , Northern Ireland and Nigeria , Makro stores in Pattaya , Samui and Phuket are and will be the only ones to have some of the imported goods (approx 12 lines) that are also in Chern Chim here in Udon , having just had meetings with the importers /agents i can confirm they have refused Makros offer of stocking the range in Khorat , Khon Kaen and Udonthani due to importing capacities , sell by dates and stock return issues.

I have at all times kept my finger on the pulse ref this issue and the prices in CC are as keen as can be - the same as or as close as possible to the Makro Pattaya prices regardless of their buying power and / or if they are operating any specials etc - indeed a jar of Branston to CC comes in at the same price as Makro pay - reflecting on Retail Branston pickle jar - makro 195 bt CC 195 bt (or 2 for 350 bt.) Robinsons drinks Makro 149 bt CC 150 BT (or 2 for 260 bt).

Thanks to all who have supported the shop , just turned its first birthday and still going !!

cheers jon - Chern Chim

[BobHelm]

There are many shops specialising in most ethnic foods , both restaurants and mini marts ,throughout the UK, all seemingly profitable, despite the proliferation of the giant supermarkets . These places often become like social centers where the native immigrants post job and other ads specific to them , and gather for a chat on Sundays . I see no reason to be fearful of the many English, German and many others being less successful here .

As I am in UK at the moment I would 100% agree with what you are saying here TB. Indeed in the UK it seems to be difficult to find a British corner shop while every other nationality is fully represented. In the street where I am in an Internet Cafe there is are two Eastern European shops, 1 Turkish, 1 West Indian and one selling Hala produce. I will not even bother trying to list the variety of ethnic cafes & restaurants also within a stones throw. I am in a West Country town by the way rather than one of the large cities.
As far as Makro are concerned I think that they have always sold different Falang products in their different Thai stores. A friend of mine who lives in the South always buys imported New Zealand lamb in his local one & has been doing so for years - something I have (sadly) never seen in Udon.

[pienmash]

I think with the relatively easy and cheap travel available, foods are becoming an international product. Okay with sometimes a distinct local flavour but nether less using the same basic ingredients . After all. A pig is a pig. Whether you serve it roasted with baked potatoes and sprouts or if you dice it and serve with a spicy sauce, the ingredients or substitutes are readily available in both London or Bangkok .There are many shops specialising in most ethnic foods , both restaurants and mini marts ,throughout the UK, all seemingly profitable, despite the proliferation of the giant supermarkets . These places often become like social centers where the native immigrants post job and other ads specific to them , and gather for a chat on Sundays . I see no reason to be fearful of the many English, German and many others being less successful here .

I agree what u r saying trubrit , i dont see things changing drastically for the small retailers despite more and more huge supermarkets and their 24 hr mini siblings (Tesco) opening everywhere , when breaking down the sales etc imported dry goods make up only a small % of the shops business being far out sold by the sausage , bacon , cheese and pastries we stock .

Chern Chim open just over a year now and i can say i know at least 70 % of my customers by name who come to shop or eat or enjoy cuppa PG and a bit of banter (or all three) - also new faces coming along all the time including more and more Thais using the shop , im hoping the business survives the test of time and is here long after ive departed (this is not a suicide note) - IM NOT PLANNING ON GOING ANYWHERE IN A HURRY NOW .

Jon

[barbara's bush]

as the boss of cherm chim has stated that he is not going anywhere in a hurry now are we to take it that it is no longer for sale? he also stated that he is involved in the importing side of things, if so why has his business not got a wider range as tops carrefour villa all run different lines plus if he was financially involved why is he more expensive? surely he would get goods a yhe lowest of prices. im sorry if i offend anyone but i smell a rat somewhere. after all its been on the market for months.

[Stantheman]

..... im sorry if i offend anyone but i smell a rat somewhere. after all its been on the market for months.

The only Rat might be in the 'Bush"

[pienmash]

as the boss of cherm chim has stated that he is not going anywhere in a hurry now are we to take it that it is no longer for sale? he also stated that he is involved in the importing side of things, if so why has his business not got a wider range as tops carrefour villa all run different lines plus if he was financially involved why is he more expensive? surely he would get goods a yhe lowest of prices. im sorry if i offend anyone but i smell a rat somewhere. after all its been on the market for months.

BB...My business dealings with the import companies (and other suppliers) i use were sorted out long before i opened CC AND are none of your business , take into consideration the many rules and regulations when dealing with these large supermarkets such as stock returns , sell by dates etcetc im far happier being a small fish in a big pond in this line of business.

So sorry to dissapoint theres no rat to smell ........... and the CC business and all it entails remains on the market .

CHZ JON