Somerfields

[Jimmy Riddle]

Although I cannot afford Somerfield`s prices, I pass by most days often go in because their special offers can be attractive. I have learned however, to be extra careful of the sell by dates on food as they are surely the worst of the supermarkets. Several times I have seen loaves of bread on the shelf with up to four different dates on including a one for the day before.
However, today as I was thinking of getting some minced-meat I noticed a reduced price sticker on several to be used by 5th. October were �2.25. Now this would normally be OK for me, but I then saw many more packets exactly the same dated 8th. October - but these bore a half-price special offer of �1.50.
Now I am not suggesting that the staff at Somerfield are any worse than the others, but it does seem a bit robotic that they did not notice that the fresh stock was considerably cheaper that the old nearly-out-of-date stock. I think the Management high up are to blame, perhaps some of their staff could comment?

[lorri24601]

i have a sommerfield near me and i stopped going there as you have to check the sell by on everything, their stock rotation system must be non exsitant as the shelves are often stocked with goods that are already days past their sell by date, im suprised they have never been hauled up over it

[spudqueen]

I have a Somerfield near me and think it is an excellent store. They have a lot of special offers, half price or buy one get one free and the staff are really friendly. I have never had a problem with dates of things at all.

[cruella]

We have just had a store built in the town where I live.
I was on days off and so looking forward to shopping there for the first time on Monday.
Drove over there to find the council had slapped an order on the opening of the store as the roads leading to the store were not ready for heavy traffic. I was so disappointed! Am I missing much? Seems it will not be allowed to open until at least December.

[amonty1144]

Somerfield do have meat in the reduced section and usually it is of excellent quality and value, however recently I've bought two items, one chicken one duck and they were off. I suspect they weren't stored properly before they were moved to the cheap bit. I took them back and they changed them without incident,
They always have plenty of stuff reduced.

How sad is this, last xmas eve I bought 2 turkeys for 25%...good job we like turkey

[bimbo123456]

I have noticed this about somerfield too. Also they mark down the bogoffs but don't put two together. I had to ask to find out that they take the discount off the bogoff price if you buy two reduced items. You might find that the discount was off the reduced price. I have found the sell by problem at my Somerfield as well. A bit harsh to call the staff robotic. It is not the most stimulating job in the world. They basically just put stuff where they are told as quickly as possible. I have always found staff at my local store to be very helpful.

[Hyperion]

Unfortunately as with all Supermarkets you get the good the bad and sometimes the Ugly. There was a TV program a couple of months ago (whistle blower I think it was called) that highlighted dubious procedures even within Tesco and ASDA, the marketleaders within the UK. Somerfield falls in 5th place and yes because it doesn't have the buying power of the big boys, it is a little more expensive, and is aimed more at the convenience market. However they do match Tesco on price on the top 170 sellers including Milk and a few bread lines and as a group they won the title of having the freshest Produce of any retailer in 2006. (ahead of Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury and even M&S). Standards in Somerfield have improved to such an extent since going private that they now feel confident advertising on TV again for the first time in 3 years. The issue you describe with mince may be due to promotional packs replacing standard, usually the standard packs would be knocked down to the same price before coding became an issue, staff training is perhaps lacking in your local store or perhaps they have suffered from High staff turnover recently leaving a skill gap. (They should have a comments box at the front of store, did you use it!? - or speak to the manager, I'm sure he/she will address any concerns you have). I've been in alot of somerfields over the years and have always found the staff very friendly and helpful, and the offers they have at the moment are great for stocking up for Xmas and the New Year - Roses and Quality Street tins both half price at �4.99 and 12 Pack Tennents / Carlesberg also at �4.99, as well as a host of other great offers, all adevrtised on TV. In summary, nobody is 100% all the time and Somerfield more than any retailer at the moment is prepared to listen to their customers and try and fix any issues they may have, give them a chance, at least they are more local and easier to shop than your 70,000sq/ft Supermarkets!!

[Jimmy Riddle]

My store has been poor for years but as I said I think there is a big fault somewhere in the chain. It has a very high staff turnover but why is this?. Regular shoppers will remember the farce they had with their short-lived discount card - shelf prices were displayed at discounted prices but not applied at the till unless you had a card. This caused so much confusion and aggravation that I expect it led to a few staff leaving. It probably is a fact that the store I use is badly run but they do not take any notice of complaints. They did have a spell of promoting Brakes Bread (NOT cheap) but again you had to careful not to get an out of date one.

[Hyperion]

The card was withdrawn because it was creating customer confusion, staff left over terms and conditions that were also changed when the group went private, but was needed to make the group competitive. This was especially the case if they were ex-safeway employees.