Just a Small Observation

I'm sure readers in the UK will have heard about the drop in profits at Marks and Spencer, and the subsequent dip in their share prices.  In the media the fall in profits at M&S seems to be tantamount to the end of consumer spending, and the heralding of a recession. 

I was reading through some of the reader's comments about this story on the BBC news website yesterday, and was amazed to find that a few people seemed to link the fall in M&S profits directly with their withdrawal of free plastic bags in April.  Personally, I thought it was a brave move by M&S to be the first large retailer to start charging for plastic carriers in its food halls.  I very rarely buy food in M&S myself - delicious though it is their prices are a little too 'rich' for me - although I do make an exception from time to time by treating myself to one of their fabulous Hoi Sin Duck Wraps.  I certainly have no problem with putting what is a well-wrapped item into my own bag, nor would I have a problem with bringing along my own carrier bags - be they cloth or plastic - if I wanted to buy a lot of items there. 

The paradox here is that Aldi (my favourite supermarket and, luckily for me, practically my corner shop) has always charged for plastic carrier bags, and at 3p or 9p per bag they are more expensive than M&S, and their profits have soared by 21 per cent in the past three months thanks to people trying out cheaper places to shop for food. 

Most worryingly, one of the commentators on the BBC website yesterday claimed that plastic bags were not actually a problem for the environment!!  Somehow I find that comment even more scary than the idea of a recession about to come and bite us all on the bum.

On a more genteel note, I'll leave you with a photo of a rosebud from the garden which co-ordinates rather nicely with some other items on my mantelpiece. 

Comments

[French Knots]

I don't think it's anything to do with plastic bags, more likely their prices!
People seem to be using thier own bags so much more now, when shopping either locally or at the supermarket I used to be the only one with bags but now lots of people take their own.
As you say to deny the harm done by plastic bags seems inconceivable.

[Claire]

I agree with the above - I think people who are used to shopping in cheaper food shops are used to having to pay for carrier bags, and this makes people be more environmentally friendly, although I used to see it as an occupational hazard that if your food would be cheaper, you would need to pay for bags. I also see it hitting the more traditionally "middle class" people who have very high mortgages and now have little disposable income. One of the craft fairs that I attend is based in a notably affluent area with M&S and other high end retailers, yet it's known as "bread and lard land" as people have stunning homes but can't afford to eat!

[Sharon J]

Had to laugh at Claire's comment because I knew a similar area in the town I lived in once. The areas was known as Porridge Hill for the same reason.

As for plastic carrier bags not being a problem, I can't help wondering whether this person has been living on another planet for the past 20 years or so.