Shoppers slam store for selling $14 sliced bread, retailer hits back!
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- Replies 23
Nothing like a good old-fashioned loaf of bread to make you feel warm, fuzzy, and full. It's not surprising that bread is one of the most important staple foods in every household in Australia as it is widely available, affordable, and filling (sorry gluten-free readers).
But imagine the surprise of a bunch of shoppers who, while perusing the bread aisle of an Australian grocery store, noticed something that would have them dropping their jaws in shock...
One of the loaves was labelled 'XL Sourdough Bread', and its $13.99 price tag had unsuspecting shoppers thinking they'd stepped into some kind of bread dystopia.
One shopper, who was shocked by the price of a loaf of bread, took to the internet to share his frustration.
Sharing a photo of the price tag of the 1.4kg extra-large sourdough from Wiffens at Fyshwick Markets in Canberra, the stunned customer shared: ‘For the love of God, check the price before you pick up and pay for a loaf of bread. I needed a lie-down.’
Many flocked to the post to share their opinions. It even prompted one to ask how bread could cost so much.
‘$14 for a loaf of bread? That's crazy!’ the user wrote.
‘$13.99 is the new $4.50…’ another said.
A third chimed in: ‘Holy cr*p, it’s made of gold.’
But a spokesperson for the shop came to its defence, asserting that its $13.99 price was due to rising costs of production and business expenses.
The spokesperson also explained that the 1.4kg extra large sourdough is 'approximately twice the size of a normal loaf'.
'I feel this [Reddit] post lacked detail or context and these kinds of comments can be very harmful to local businesses like us, as well as the local bread supplier this product is from,' the representative argued.
'This is a local bread made by Three Mills Bakery, this is the recommended retail price and our margins on this fresh product are not very large as it is a competitive market.'
'This product has one day’s [best before] date on it, [and] if you have to discount or dispose of even one loaf of bread a day you lose any profit on four to five other loaves.'
'This bread is an extra large loaf of bread as you can see on the label in the post - approximately twice the size of a normal loaf at approximately 1.4kg. Most bread is approximately half this, so on a per gram price comparison to other artisanal loaves this is very comparable.'
'The price needs to be put in that context - it is for families, large households who would prefer a large loaf.'
They also added that other specialised or artisanal bread suppliers such as Sonoma and Brasserie Bread charge $8 for those same-sized (but regular) loaves.
'Comparing this price to similar bread using the same labour-intensive methods - i.e. not supermarket factory bread or chain bakery bread - this price fits in with the market,' the spokesperson continued.
'In addition, there have been factors impacting bread prices over the last 12 months - in particular, the increasing price of wheat.'
The representative also pointed out that a comment, that was taken out of context, from a single customer could ruin the reputation of a retailer when there are so many fascinating and wonderful stories about local suppliers and businesses supporting one another and selling local products.
They shared: 'For example in another Reddit post, I saw another post complaining about the cost of cookie dough at the IGA. This is a local businesswoman who has started making handmade cookie dough that is fresh and free of additives and selling this to local businesses.'
'This is a labour-intensive business and, [unlike] many food businesses, the people who are food producers are not doing it to fleece customers or make tonnes of money.'
The spokesperson continued by saying that food manufacturers like these frequently go out of business while attempting to set fair rates for their goods.
'I just find that online comments can be very uninformed,' they said.
Several Reddit users backed the shop, stating that the bread in question was 'the best' and worth the price.
One user claimed: 'Properly crusty crust, good texture and consistency, superior taste.'
'Mine lasts our household of two well over a week. It’s also super filling,' another added.
A third chimed in: 'I buy Three Mills bread in XL and it’s worth every penny in my opinion.'
Whether you agree with its outrageous cost or not, some things are certain: That single loaf of sliced bread is not exactly what we'd call budget-friendly.
But if you're a bread aficionado, you know that artisanal bread, with its inherent richness in flavour and texture, is definitely worth it.
Not all bread is made equal, folks.
There you have it! What are your thoughts on this? Share them with us in the comments below!
But imagine the surprise of a bunch of shoppers who, while perusing the bread aisle of an Australian grocery store, noticed something that would have them dropping their jaws in shock...
One of the loaves was labelled 'XL Sourdough Bread', and its $13.99 price tag had unsuspecting shoppers thinking they'd stepped into some kind of bread dystopia.
One shopper, who was shocked by the price of a loaf of bread, took to the internet to share his frustration.
Sharing a photo of the price tag of the 1.4kg extra-large sourdough from Wiffens at Fyshwick Markets in Canberra, the stunned customer shared: ‘For the love of God, check the price before you pick up and pay for a loaf of bread. I needed a lie-down.’
Many flocked to the post to share their opinions. It even prompted one to ask how bread could cost so much.
‘$14 for a loaf of bread? That's crazy!’ the user wrote.
‘$13.99 is the new $4.50…’ another said.
A third chimed in: ‘Holy cr*p, it’s made of gold.’
But a spokesperson for the shop came to its defence, asserting that its $13.99 price was due to rising costs of production and business expenses.
The spokesperson also explained that the 1.4kg extra large sourdough is 'approximately twice the size of a normal loaf'.
'I feel this [Reddit] post lacked detail or context and these kinds of comments can be very harmful to local businesses like us, as well as the local bread supplier this product is from,' the representative argued.
'This is a local bread made by Three Mills Bakery, this is the recommended retail price and our margins on this fresh product are not very large as it is a competitive market.'
'This product has one day’s [best before] date on it, [and] if you have to discount or dispose of even one loaf of bread a day you lose any profit on four to five other loaves.'
'This bread is an extra large loaf of bread as you can see on the label in the post - approximately twice the size of a normal loaf at approximately 1.4kg. Most bread is approximately half this, so on a per gram price comparison to other artisanal loaves this is very comparable.'
'The price needs to be put in that context - it is for families, large households who would prefer a large loaf.'
They also added that other specialised or artisanal bread suppliers such as Sonoma and Brasserie Bread charge $8 for those same-sized (but regular) loaves.
'Comparing this price to similar bread using the same labour-intensive methods - i.e. not supermarket factory bread or chain bakery bread - this price fits in with the market,' the spokesperson continued.
'In addition, there have been factors impacting bread prices over the last 12 months - in particular, the increasing price of wheat.'
The representative also pointed out that a comment, that was taken out of context, from a single customer could ruin the reputation of a retailer when there are so many fascinating and wonderful stories about local suppliers and businesses supporting one another and selling local products.
They shared: 'For example in another Reddit post, I saw another post complaining about the cost of cookie dough at the IGA. This is a local businesswoman who has started making handmade cookie dough that is fresh and free of additives and selling this to local businesses.'
'This is a labour-intensive business and, [unlike] many food businesses, the people who are food producers are not doing it to fleece customers or make tonnes of money.'
The spokesperson continued by saying that food manufacturers like these frequently go out of business while attempting to set fair rates for their goods.
'I just find that online comments can be very uninformed,' they said.
Several Reddit users backed the shop, stating that the bread in question was 'the best' and worth the price.
One user claimed: 'Properly crusty crust, good texture and consistency, superior taste.'
'Mine lasts our household of two well over a week. It’s also super filling,' another added.
A third chimed in: 'I buy Three Mills bread in XL and it’s worth every penny in my opinion.'
Key Takeaways
- Wiffens at Fyshwick Markets in Canberra has come under fire for charging $13.99 for an extra-large loaf of bread.
- The store spokesperson has defended its decision, explaining that the price is quite reasonable for an artisanal bread of that size and that there has been an increase in the cost of wheat over the past year.
- Reddit users have come to the defence of the store, sharing their positive experiences with the bread and saying it is worth the price.
Whether you agree with its outrageous cost or not, some things are certain: That single loaf of sliced bread is not exactly what we'd call budget-friendly.
But if you're a bread aficionado, you know that artisanal bread, with its inherent richness in flavour and texture, is definitely worth it.
Not all bread is made equal, folks.
There you have it! What are your thoughts on this? Share them with us in the comments below!