Paninis: What's the deal with the Co-op?

[bravejordy]

My local Co-op often has promotions on a new line of products, yet despite these items selling well, they're never seen again. How come?

For the last couple of weeks my local branch has been selling Soft Bread Paninis. They come in a pack of four and are the Co-op's own brand. Anyway I've really gotten to like them (they're delicious with flame grilled chicken, lettuce and lashings of mayo). Well I've been noticing that they sell out pretty quickly (I guess I'm not the only one that has a passion for them). Anyhow, I went to the Co-op first thing this morning in the hope of getting a pack, only to find there weren't any on the shelves. I asked one of the assistants were they likely to be getting any in today and she told me that the Paninis were part of a promotion that had now ended. Somewhat baffled by this answer I asked her to clarify and she said something to the effect that as the store doesn't normally have them they wouldn't be getting anymore. I said, "But why? It's not like you've had problems selling them, right?"

But she was adamant that promotional items are only offered on a temporary basis. Hold on, let me see if I've got this right� The Co-op has a promotion on one of their own brand products � presumably to see how it sells. It sells like hot cakes so the Co-op in their infinite wisdom, decide not to stock the item again! What is the point of the promotion? Is this normal practice for the Co-op or is it just my local branch? Hopefully somebody can throw some light on this.

[bimbo123456]

Why not write to the head office and make your comments?

[bravejordy]

Thanks, bimbo, I will do that, but I just thought I'd bounce it around here for a while to see if anybody else had had similar experiences at their local Co-op.

[crisgal]

I know what you mean, I had a similar experience with breaded pollack fillets.

But I forgave them as they always have other good stuff.

I love my cwop!

[bravejordy]

Thanks crisgal. I think my cwop have got it in for me because they seem to stop selling everything I like! :( The manager is a bit of an old grouch (He makes Victor Meldrew look like Mr Happy!)

[Scarlett]

Email them, or phone their customer services. You can find the number on their website. Only they can tell you the method in their madness!!

[crisgal]

you've just made me think, bravejordy, about their chocolate cake.
Our cwop did a fabulous fair trade chocolate slab cake. It was one of the best I've ever tasted (especially filled with chocolate frosting and served warm with ice cream!)
Antway, it just suddenly disappeared and they haven't had any for ages. Do they sell it at yours?

[bravejordy]

crisgal, your description and suggested serving of that chocolate slab cake has got my mouth watering! lol

Seriously though, I don't know if they sell them in my branch but I'll have a look next time I'm in there (which will probably be tomorrow) and get back to you on that one. ;)

[Ice.Maiden]

It's not just the Co-op, bj. My son fancied some "new" breaded chicken, cheese and leek things (Morrison's). I don't usually buy stuff like that, but had to agree that they tasted quite nice. Not seen them on the shelves since!

[bravejordy]

Why do they do this? It's like they get some kind of weird pleasure out of whetting our appetites and then ceasing to sell the product.

And as if in total contrast, another annoying habit the Co-op have is to continuously stock certain products that are clearly not selling. Month after month I see the same items in the "Reduced Items basket" - yet the Co-op, for some strange reason, insist on restocking the shelves with these same unpopular products. Don't get me wrong, I love my Co-op and I'd be lost without it, but I just wish they'd pay more attention to what their customers want.