*These retailers are being screwed and, considering that paid parking was introduced mid lease, it's simply not fair.*

Well yes Rehctub, I agree, some of those rents are extreme. But
screwing the consumer to solve it, is not the answer. Today there
are other answers, like home deliveries, internet etc.

*once the comp it gone, do you think they will continue to look after you?*

So Rehctub, if Coles was not there to create competition, who would
look after you then? McCleod is reviewing his whole supply chain
and that starts with some of the major suppliers, companies which
operate globally like Nestle, Unilever, Kraft, etc. They charge
Australians more then in other parts of the world, because in the
past they could. That is now changing, thanks to him, consumers
are winners.

Coles keeps small butchers honest, that is not a bad thing.For
its not the price paid to the farmer that is the problem, but
margins between farmer and consumer. I was quoted an example the
other day, 59.95 for loin chops in a mall. Coles charge 18$.

I agree with much of rechtub's comments on this issue.
And I definitely hold malls to be part of the problem, (just one of many ways that malls hurt us as a society and as a community).
I recently returned from a trip that included a period in the UK.
My sense is that there, small retailers are doing a bit better than here. They're certainly struggling too, but I think for different reasons.
Part of the reasons they're doing a bit better is, I think, to do with the 'High Streets'.
So many people in the UK, rather than living in shopless suburbs as we do here, live in villages that still have a High Street. There's usually good bus access and reasonable prking.
It - along with the village pubs - seem to create more of a sense of community, and people seem more inclined to support their local businesses, even at a bit higher cost. And I definitely heard people say that they put a high value on the convenience of smaller shops within walking distance or a short bus trip.
I have no data to support this, but that is the impression I've come away with on this and previous trips there.
Anthony
http://www.observationpoint.com.au

Don't think you can blame online shopping for the decline with food businesses. Sure, some do but the VAST majority still like to see their meat before they buy it.

The decline is right across the board. Have a look around you. People are holding on to their money and it's affecting EVERYONE.

I deliver bulk freight for a living. We haven't been busy since the floods in Qld last year and my company is one of the three biggest. We all can sit around blaming everyone else for our woes but in the end we're all in more trouble than most realise.

I'm have no idea what's causing it but things haven't been this bad in my life time.

Supermarkets are well and good for certain items.
However as I stated earlier my preference when
quality matters is to go for the specialist shops -
like meat, deli, fruit and veg. Also time is
important to me - and I prefer supermarkets where
things are easy to find - not where you're forced
to view products that you won't be buying from them
anyway - but they use that ploy - making it longer
for you to do your shopping. That's a turn-off.

Supermarkets have to re-think their strategies at
times. Overkill can hurt:

A new Aldi supermarket opened in Toowoomba recently.
It has an automatic water mister to keep the produce
fresh. Just before it goes on, you hear the distant
sound of thunder and the smell of fresh rain.

When you pass the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and
you experience the scent of freshly cut hay.

In the meat department there is the aroma of charcoal-
grilled steaks and bratwurst.

When you approach the egg cases, you hear hens clack and
cackle and the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of
bacon and eggs frying.

The bread department features the tantalising smell of
freshly baked bread and cakes.

I don't buy toilet paper there anymore!

<<I don't buy toilet paper there anymore!>>

So how do you manage instead? Steal it?

Dear Yuyutsu,

To develop your sense of humour -
get a book of jokes and study them.

Cheers.