Michael Walsh: It was recently announced that New York City’s controversial mayor is set to open publicly owned supermarkets.

As these enterprises will have the profit factor removed, he claims that shopping at them will be considerably cheaper.

National and local government have an unhappy record of running public services.

A satire

Years ago, I penned a satire on what would happen if Spain’s low-cost, super-efficient Mercadona’s 1,470-strong chain of supermarkets was to be taken over by government and be publicly owned.

The vast chain’s president, Juan Roig, is Spain’s fourth richest man and the chain is said to carry a €3.47 billion price tag. 

I wondered how the chain would fare now that several supermarkets have been brought under public control.  Will we still have an appetite for Mercadona?  

My day didn’t get off to a promising start

The entrance to the store’s car park is now accessible only by a security barrier for which one needs an online-purchased token. 

A frustrated shopper, having decided to shop elsewhere, came to my rescue by offering his token. Car spaces nearest the supermarket’s doors were reserved for staff, but street parking is available.  

Food for thought

What was to follow gave me much food for thought. Having waited patiently in a queue, the omnipresent uniformed staff enquired if I had a ticket. 

It appeared necessary to make an appointment to shop.  Being my lucky day, I was offered a slot by a customer who, having to pick the kids up, offered me her ticket. 

I could now shop

Having used the store when privately owned, I recall that it was then efficiently managed by about ten friendly staff.  This was no longer the case. 

Nothing ventured, nothing gained I queued for my shopping trolley. But first there was a little paperwork to be dealt with. 

There was a fee to be paid, a trip to the bank and production of an ST1R bank receipt in duplicate.  I get to keep a copy. 

ID

Proof of identity was required, for which thankfully I had my NIE, National Identity (ID) document, resident status padron and driving licence plus duplicate photocopies.

Finally free to roam the over-staffed aisles, I smiled at an elderly lady with large melons.  “This is expensive.” I smiled as I held my cucumber up for her to see. 

“Oh yes.  They were 85c but are now €3.95.  If you want a receipt, it is extra.”

“Nuts,” I replied.

“They are over there.” 

“No, I mean they are nuts.  How do they justify such a price increase?”

Prices through the roof

“Everything has quadrupled in price,” she smiled. 

“The government bought the store at four times its value.  Extending it by 200 metres, they sub-let the car park and built new access toll roads.

Unfit for purpose

There are several sub-offices. Then there is the security screening and the quadrupling of staff.  It all adds up, you know,” she smiled resignedly. 

Having made fewer purchases than usual, I was to learn that one does not choose a check-out. A desk operative, one of several, checks your purchases and then directs you to the cash point.

Staff Demotivated

Each of the store’s ten checkouts was manned by clueless staff who appeared bored, de-motivated and in one or two cases hostile. 

Asking why, the teller told me she didn’t like the job but took it on because it was impossible to fire her.  A relative had got her the position. Yes, it all makes sense now. Tell us what you think 

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