Friday 8 August 2008

Question of the day…

So... I just saw ANOTHER of those supermarket price comparison adverts on tele. Suddenly it struck me - Why don’t ASDA have one of those loyalty-stroke-club-card dealies?

Sainsbury’s have Nectar, Tesco have their Club Card, ASDA have nothing.

Aren't loyalty cards the thing of the moment. Waterstones have one, WHSmith have one, Boots have the Advantage Card... need I say more? Is there a reason that bosses at ASDA have disregarded this as an essential customer retention and marketing opportunity.

Don't get me wrong. I shop at ADSA more than the other supermarkets, but it would be nice to have some recognition and reward for it surely.

Saturday 2 August 2008

Where did they go?

Whatever happened to the traditional pub? Why is our choice limited to wine bars and so called gastro-pubs in most big cities nowadays?

I fondly remember my local pub, a traditional sort, where we used to go without fail each Sunday afternoon. AND there was the hilarious quiz night - with the lady with the porn star voice - and the knowledge that our team would always come last. Everything has sadly changed. They've renovated the interior and removed all those little quirks and nuances that made it our local.

I also remember, as a youngster, family trips where we would stop for lunch in a country pub. I can still recall that wonderful smell of bar meals mixed with ale and real wooden furniture, while my brother and I sat outside drinking shandy on a wooden picnic bench.

Another thing that's bothering me is the demise of the good Irish pub. Great pubs, with a great atmosphere and characters you wouldn't meet anywhere else. There have been several failing attempts to bring them back in some areas, but they're just not the same.

Don't get me wrong. I like change and nothing can stay the same forever. But deep down doesn't everyone want to find their own version of Cheers - where everybody knows your name?