well soon we will have zero shops in the village this is the statement from the owner who also has the Old inn up for sale (i think its still on the market) from their facebook page
The footfall into our shop has reduced dramatically, inflation has hit the business hard and supplier cost increases have risen astronomically, not to mention the sharp increase in utility bills. Alongside these issues alone, over the last year, our suppliers have continued to reduce their availability of stock in favour of other industries, dealing another crushing blow to the small retail sector.
At the same time, larger supermarkets have enormous power now, in some instances, purchasing our suppliers which has created (in our view) an unfair marketplace. Sadly, because they have the buying power to keep their prices low, we cannot compete with them for our customers. They can offer prices to our customers sometimes lower than we can purchase these products at wholesale, and they will deliver.
Some other local cash and carry businesses in Cornwall have also closed, making independent small retailers like us more and more dependent on just one or two suppliers, who have then increased costs to us so rapidly and inordinately that retail businesses like ourselves just cannot survive. The cost rises from other small local suppliers are also (understandably) rising with increasing regularity and although we have attempted to absorb these as much as we can, it’s become an impossible situation.
We have even attempted to align ourselves with retailers such as Spar, Londis, Bestway and other retail organisations to secure their deliveries, prices and support but sadly St. Breward Stores does not have sufficient sales or footfall for them to consider bringing us on board.
It has been the final nail in the coffin.
The large supermarkets are winning. They are crushing small businesses in order that they can remove competition.
first time in several years, and definitely the last!
