Forum topic: Morrison's in PG now seems to have slumped to a new low

Waxing and waning over the years, including its transition from Safeway, Morrison's in PG now seems to have slumped to a new low. The cost cuts so immediately evident locally when the new company CEO took over might well have gone too far. Walking into the store it’s no longer unusual to find near empty shelves reflecting a scene I presume will hold UK wide in the event of stockpiling for an anticipated zombie apocalypse, or what we are given to believe will apply in the event of a no-ferry no-deal Brexit when food is scarce. When we hear so much about the UK supermarkets fantastically integrated supply chains to get food onto their shelves where do the bread, eggs, milk, vegetables and such planned for Morrison's PG actually end up so many times a week? Obvious signs like this would have a hedge fund manager shorting the stock; just like Morrison's’ supply chain now manages so well in its own “specialism”.

After a run of “empty shelf” experiences in Morrison's, I dropped a line to David Potts, the Chief Executive, a month since pointing out the visible impact of staffing cuts / distribution chain failings and asking that he either sort out product availability or sell-out to a grocer who could effectively supply and manage our key local store.

My own experiences since then would suggest an improvement but here’s a central customer service number if anyone does have an ongoing beef - 0345 611 6111

Surprisingly my snail mail letter, including only a postal address, was replied to via e mail. I can only assume a link was made with data on my Morrison's card / account. Never being a fan of personal data intrusion, that card has now gone into my bin and I’ll forfeit the occasional £5 bonus voucher.

Two interesting press articles in the last week or so concerning Morrison's. The first looked at sales over the previous one week, one month and one year periods. All were rather grim for Morrison's, uniquely so amongst the large grocers. (Advice to management – if you want people to buy things then get stuff on your shelves.) The second highlighted a 10% stake having been built by somebody in the expectation of a Morrison's takeover. (Maybe they read my post of 30th July). No surprises there if the PG store is representative of the wider chain.
It’s a key store for PG so what might emerge on a transition from Safeway through Morrison's to a future under just whom?
Tesco is already too big and so would surely be blocked;
The recent proposed Sainsbury / Asda tie up was blocked, and while Morrison's is a tad smaller than either there would be a reasonable chance the same happening and so be a high fee bar for either management team to wish to rush at;
Morrisons target customer base and related location is not an ideal Waitrose fit (and they have a big restructure to swallow just now);
The CooP is a brand collective of several societies suggesting a highly dubious aggressive takeover is likely (or perhaps even possible);
Which leaves the likes of Aldi and Lidl, committed to grow, especially in the south, just where Morrisons isn’t relatively strong.
So there’s no obvious fit amongst that lot, leaving the best option for Morrison's to get stuff onto their shelves. Often the simplest solutions are the best.

I don't know what's going on with Morrison's at large, except what Karl has told us in his previous posts, but Palmers Green branch does seem particularly grim. Having recently made use of Morrison's stores in Cardiff, Ipswich, Chippenham and St Albans (the latter two of comparable size to PG) I've been hugely impressed by the stock, the presentation and staff performance - simply not to be compared with our local shop. Why? Certainly, attention to the state of the shelves is essential: keeping up stocks, pulling stock to the front of shelves (so that it is accessible - and visible!) when necessary - general awareness, really. I often have to ask if things are available and often they are retrieved from behind the scenes, so if they're in the building why aren't they on the shelves? The other branches I've mentioned also look tidier, cleaner, more cared-for - a joy to visit, in fact. PG is just so often like a tip, with empty packaging lying about, untidy shelves, pallets of goods blocking aisles waiting to be unloaded. This sounds like a local (or regional) management issue. As Karl says, if you make the place attractive and keep the shelves filled, people will buy the goods.

On several occasions I've seen out of date food the shelves and on mentioning it to staff have been told "I will tell my manger when I'm finished here I'm clocking off soon"
Seems to me the staff aren't interested. I've even tweeted Morrisons only to be told we will look into this... The store certainly seems untidy, Scruffy and somewhat unclean. I rarely go in there now.

It seems nobody complained about Morrisons PG since the begining of november. What I observed for the last few months was about the untideness and empty shelves of the market. Especially at drinks and dairy products. Besides, I was seriously unable to find a shopping basket whenever I went to the market, doesn't matter during the day or after work at night. So what I had done was mentioning this on a Google comment and for the last few weeks, maybe as for the upcoming christmas period, I saw a development about all these. However it definitely still has a lack of staff issue and people working there are seriously not happy...

My main problem about this is about not having an another close market around. I sometimes go to local markets. However, to find some specific items, we have no option so far. Where do you shop from alternatively?

p.s. no commute available by a car.