[Tapioca]

From today's Globe and Mail:

--------------------------------------------------

Loblaw buys Asian grocery chain

Marina Strauss

Globe and Mail Update
Last updated on Friday, Jul. 24, 2009 10:02AM EDT


Loblaw Cos. Ltd. (L-T35.36-0.39-1.09%) is buying Canada's biggest Asian food retailer for $225-million, allowing the grocer to extend its offerings to what it says is the country's largest growing customer segment.

Loblaw said Friday T&T Supermarket Inc., which runs 17 stores in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, will operate as a separate division.

“Some of our customers have a nickname for us – The Asian Loblaw,” Cindy Lee, chief executive officer of T&T , said in a statement.

The move came as Loblaw, the country's largest grocer, said that its second-quarter profit rose almost 38 per cent to $193-million or 70 cents a share from $140-million or 51 cents a share a year earlier. Sales rose 2.8 per cent to $7.2-billion from $7-billion.

But Loblaw executive chairman Galen G. Weston also warned that the second half of the year will be tougher for the company – and profit and sale will probably be “significantly challenged.”

“This quarter's improvement in earnings was largely cost and gross margin driven,” Mr. Weston said. “This is a trend that we do not expect to continue. We have consistently said that the second half of this year would be by far the toughest, and with market volumes in decline, inflation dropping off, intensified competitive activity and a substantial ramp up in our infrastructure and renovation programs, we expect sales and margins to be significantly challenged.”

The company's latest results were helped by increased food prices, although the chain's internal food inflation rate dropped from the first quarter. And while the retailer's food and drug-store sales were strong, its private label Joe Fresh Style apparel business saw just “modest growth” while other non-food merchandise sales continued to drop.

Loblaw beat analysts' second-quarter forecast of a profit of 56 cents a share, helped by strong gross profit margins and a low tax rate. However, sales didn't meet analysts target of $7.32-billion, according to a ThomsonOne Analytics survey.

“All in all it's a good quarter,” said David Hartley, managing director of equity research at BMO Nesbitt Burns.

The T&T acquisition is expected to boost Loblaw's bid to expand into the burgeoning ethnic food market, Mr. Hartley added. “To be there is very important and it's getting bigger every day.”

Loblaw has been bolstering its ethnic food offerings at its discount No Frills supermarkets over the past several years, and is now adding No Frills stores in Western Canada. The stores cater to ethnic consumers with an emphasis on fresh produce such as karela and okra.

Now, Mr. Weston said, the T&T takeover will be used “to help Loblaw extend its ethnic offerings to better serve Canada's largest growing customer segment.”

Loblaw looks forward to “continued growth and effectively serving Asian food to even more families across Canada,” said Ms. Lee, T&T's CEO.

Loblaw is targeting a market whose households spend up to 23 per cent more on groceries than others in Canada, according to data last year.

They are members of the fast-growing South Asian and Chinese Canadian communities, and they account for about one-third – or $5.7-million – of grocery spending in Toronto and Vancouver, a study last year by market researcher Solutions Research Group found.

It found that South Asian Canadians spend $154 a week on their groceries, or 23 per cent more than an average household in Toronto and Vancouver.

Loblaw's No Frills has copied elements of T&T of Richmond, B.C., which is considered a westernized version of Chinatown shops carrying live crabs and barbecued duck in bright, wide-aisled stores.

More recently, T&T started to branch out to South Asian goods, such as coconut milk and instant fried noodles with chili.

Loblaw said that it expects the T&T deal to close before the end of its fiscal year, and that it will add to its bottom line in the first year after the closing.

It said $191-million of the $225-million purchase price will be paid in cash and the rest through preferred shares issued by T&T, the value of which will be tied to the latter's future performance.

Loblaw also said it is making progress in its turnaround efforts after faltering a few years ago in a botched restructuring. Mr. Weston took the helm then, aided by Allan Leighton, a British businessman and long time adviser to the Weston family, which controls the grocer.

More to come.
-------------------------------------------------

[hotjoint]

cool

[DDauge]

great..so it's not Taiwanese owned anymore

[CorneringArtist]

Hope that this doesn't take away from T&T's product line.

[!SG]

this might give t&t more buying power

what does that mean? lower costs making for higher profit margins =)

[Nightwalker]

Seems like a good move

[hal0g0dv2]

good to see

[wouwou]

Does this mean T&T will no longer sell expired products as "sale" items?

[Expresso]

Does this mean T&T will no longer sell expired products as "sale" items?

lol, isnt that what the clearance bin at superstore is for haha

[CorneringArtist]

lol, isnt that what the clearance bin at superstore is for haha

Most of it is 50% off stickers now. Not sure if it's still going on, but the store I go to had single cans of pop for like 49 cents.

[Drift_Monkey]

Just called my buddy who manages one of the stores and they are having a meeting now.

[Qmx323]

Gay, the white man is taking back power

[124Y]

I always dig through the clearance bin...it's filled with goodies!

[Drift_Monkey]

Just called my buddy who manages one of the stores and they are having a meeting now.

Update:

Meeting was just over.

Nothing much will change the way T&T does their business.

Good thing is that my buddy will get a fat bonus at the end of the year:thumbsup:

[InvisibleSoul]

Definitely interesting...

[Teriyaki]

Will be interesting to see how this plays out. Stuff at T&T will definitely change over time as Loblaws streamlines the store.

[twitchyzero]

Does this mean T&T will no longer sell expired products as "sale" items?

Superstore sells perishable items that are expiring in a day or two for like 50% off.

Lol...cheapasses unite

[wouwou]

Superstore sells perishable items that are expiring in a day or two for like 50% off.

Lol...cheapasses unite

yes,

expiring,

and T&T does the "expired" sale.

You wont believe some of the shit people bought there.

[CorneringArtist]

yes,

expiring,

and T&T does the "expired" sale.

You wont believe some of the shit people bought there.

I love showing up after 6 and buying all the old-ass sushi and BBQ meats for like half off.

[Sid Vicious]

are you guys really that fucking cheap that you want to save one to five dollars and risk food poisoning?

jesus, they were wrong about the jews.

[sulos]

Gay, the white man is taking back power

don't you forget it :thumbsup:

[q0192837465]

T&T has a lot of white guys shopping in it too

[Carl Johnson]

Overwaitea & Safeway are probably not too happy about this acquisition given that they are already struggling with Walmart and Superstore's low price approach.

[AVS_Racing]

i always though safeway as expensive compared to everything else, but yes they better not fuck with the tnt product line. but is osaka in yohan a part of tnt?

[q0192837465]

Overwaitea & Safeway are probably not too happy about this acquisition given that they are already struggling with Walmart and Superstore's low price approach.


How places that sell the same grocer but charges a premium survives is beyond me. Places like Safeway and IGA, why do ppl even go there when they know they'll get raped?

[hal0g0dv2]

How places that sell the same grocer but charges a premium survives is beyond me. Places like Safeway and IGA, why do ppl even go there when they know they'll get raped?

yeah man, cereal at safeway is a fucking rip

[SumAznGuy]

but is osaka in yohan a part of tnt?

Yes they are.

[wouwou]

How places that sell the same grocer but charges a premium survives is beyond me. Places like Safeway and IGA, why do ppl even go there when they know they'll get raped?

Produce in Save-On are better in quality compared to the ones in RCSS, so I can see the price difference.

As for safeway, I have not a fucking clue how they claim such a high price for their products.

[SumAznGuy]

Produce in Save-On are better in quality compared to the ones in RCSS, so I can see the price difference.

As for safeway, I have not a fucking clue how they claim such a high price for their products.

Very rarely do I ever buy any produce from Safeway, RCSS, or Save-on.

Due to personal reasons, I don't buy from Langley farm or Kins Farm either.

I try to buy from the bigger mom/pop produce places that I know has good turn over. Most of the time, their prices are wayyyyyyy lower than the already mentioned chain stores.

[skyxx]

great..so it's not Taiwanese owned anymore

Technically it wasn't really Taiwanese owned in a sense. It's owned by a Giant American supermarket chain and some Taiwanese lady in Vancouver. :/

[BNR32_Coupe]

i heard T&T is much cheaper than superstore for things like fresh seafood, cereals, snacks, some fruits and vegetables, etc. T&T was starting to bleed superstore out of its profits, since its offering cheaper products. now T&T got bought out. thats what you get for bleeding the bigger mans profits

[Tapioca]

How places that sell the same grocer but charges a premium survives is beyond me. Places like Safeway and IGA, why do ppl even go there when they know they'll get raped?

My theories:
- Safeway has ridiculous Air Miles promotions - no other supermarket chain is affiliated with AM. This draws people in and unless you're a penny-pincher with a lot of time on your hands, you will likely pick up other items you need at regular prices.
- For the most part, IGA stores are strategically located where there is little competition or the competition is more expensive (e.g. downtown core)

T&T is decent, but these days, I shop wherever the deals are best. I can understand why people in Ontario have a hate for Loblaw (if you go into "Loblaws", the prices are ridiculously expensive), but out here, Loblaw Inc. is only represented by Superstore which has pretty good prices on groceries (produce is questionable, though.)

Pattison and his Overwaitea group will be okay, even with this merger. I think Pricesmart Foods is taking away some potential business from Superstore and Wal-Mart.

[you!]

i bet they're gonna change the name to W&W
or they should just change it to JB

[Meowjin]

great..so it's not Taiwanese owned anymore

SHUT UP

[winson604]

I've always understood Safeway and IGA surviving because of location. Sure if you decide to drive another 5+ mins there are usually other options but for whatever reason when it comes to grocery shopping people tend to choose the closes one.

[Meowjin]

Gay, the white man is taking back power

C A N A D A

[mr_piggy]

How places that sell the same grocer but charges a premium survives is beyond me. Places like Safeway and IGA, why do ppl even go there when they know they'll get raped?

I don't shop at IGA or Safeway but I do shop at Overweighttea (Urban Fare, Price Smart Foods) and I'am happy to pay a bit more for a MUCH better shopping experience.

Stepping into a Superstore is like stepping into a Walmart.. its miserable. Its the same reason why I'am happy paying a lot more to live in Vancouver as opposed to living in tailer-park-Surrey. The presentation and selection of Overweighttea stores is just so much better than Loblaws.

I buy most of my groceries from T&T and I hope they (Loblaw's) continues to run it as a niche market (i.e. selling primarily Chinese foodstuffs) store and not to cheapen the brand or by diluting the brand by trying to encompass other ethic foods (i.e. South Asians/Central Asian foods are too different and need/deserve their own chain).

[k2_alpha]

great... fucken great,
I can now buy Joe clothing at my fucken Asian T&T
Then again, Joe clothing is cheap ass...

[wouwou]

I don't shop at IGA or Safeway but I do shop at Overweighttea (Urban Fare, Price Smart Foods) and I'am happy to pay a bit more for a MUCH better shopping experience.

Stepping into a Superstore is like stepping into a Walmart.. its miserable. Its the same reason why I'am happy paying a lot more to live in Vancouver as opposed to living in tailer-park-Surrey. The presentation and selection of Overweighttea stores is just so much better than Loblaws.

I buy most of my groceries from T&T and I hope they (Loblaw's) continues to run it as a niche market (i.e. selling primarily Chinese foodstuffs) store and not to cheapen the brand or by diluting the brand by trying to encompass other ethic foods (i.e. South Asians/Central Asian foods are too different and need/deserve their own chain).
+1 for the shopping experience.

For me the line ups at W or RCSS kills any discount for me. Waiting 30 minutes to get my Bak Choi .30 cheaper? No thanks

[matrixfwd]

the employees should be happy they will get better benefits.

[iwantaskyline]

I've always understood Safeway and IGA surviving because of location. Sure if you decide to drive another 5+ mins there are usually other options but for whatever reason when it comes to grocery shopping people tend to choose the closes one.

Safeway's got some sick sandwiches. :thumbsup:

[StylinRed]

oh no.... i hope things don't get changed too much

like i hope they still stay open on Christmas day etc... and i hope they still get all the asian products they do now and not take away from that


and from what i understand is T&T was started in the States or something by a group of taiwanese ppl but their real success is in Canada


Update:
Meeting was just over.
Nothing much will change the way T&T does their business.
Good thing is that my buddy will get a fat bonus at the end of the year:thumbsup:

sorry dude but the accquisition wont finalize until the end of the fiscal year so i doubt your friend will even know whats going to happen for sometime what they probably met about is "things wont change for now"



We used to always go to Safeway and shunned save-on because it looked ghetto
but when Safeway had that long strike several years ago it really hurt them as us and im sure others switched to just shopping at Save On-Foods and that gave them the success to facelift their stores


.

[twitchyzero]

still cant believe T&T getting bought out
they've been so sucessful here that they engulf the old food court at their Metrotown store.

They now have 4-5 stores in the GTA and they're super busy as well.

[StylinRed]

^^^ yeah i guess its an offer they couldn't refuse... but im sure if they held out for a number of years they could be a lot more succesfull

[Carl Johnson]

still cant believe T&T getting bought out
they've been so sucessful here that they engulf the old food court at their Metrotown store.

They now have 4-5 stores in the GTA and they're super busy as well.

Which is exactly the reason why a deal like this would make sense at this moment.

[StylinRed]

According to terms of the transaction with Loblaws, $191 million of the purchase price will be funded in cash and the remaining through preferred shares, the value of which will be tied to the future performance of the business.

The first T&T stores in Richmond and Burnaby were started by Lee back in 1993.

When her husband, Jack Lee, started developing President Plaza on No. 3 Road in the late 1980s, the shiny, $60-million complex had some small stores, a Radisson hotel, and a temple, but it needed a supermarket anchor. Cindy Lee stepped in to open what quickly became the family’s most successful venture.

To do this, the Lees brought in deep-pocketed and savvy joint venture partners: A listed conglomerate from Taiwan, Uni-President Enterprises, which operates 7-Eleven convenience stores; and an Asian grocery chain from California, Tawa Supermarket Inc.

The three original shareholders, including the Lees, are the same, but it is not publicly known how much each owns, according to T&T spokesperson Herman Poon.

long story on vancouver sun

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/vancouver/Loblaws+buys+Supermarket+million/1825086/story.html

[MG1]

How places that sell the same grocer but charges a premium survives is beyond me. Places like Safeway and IGA, why do ppl even go there when they know they'll get raped?

People who shop at Safeway do so because of the service they get there and the feel of the place. Safeway also caters to the elderly and a lot of them feel "safe" and welcomed there.

IGA is kind of cool. It has a local feel to it.

No matter how you slice it, Superstore is ghetto........ maybe that's why I shop there so much, LOL.

Back to Safeway....... I think the worst Safeway ever is the one on Broadway and Commercial. Still, it's better than any Superstore.

[StylinRed]

Back to Safeway....... I think the worst Safeway ever is the one on Broadway and Commercial. Still, it's better than any Superstore.

ahaha i used to go to that one since it was close to home it was nice as a kid but before we moved it started getting worse and after we moved it looked worse and worse and WORSE

[TVD]

I hope they keep T&T the same even though I shop at Superstore most of the time. I have think it will stay the same for a while but they will end up cutting stuff out soon to save costs. I hope that isn't the case.

[ZhangFei]

Safeway's got some sick sandwiches. :thumbsup:

for the same price of one measly sandwich, you get 2 items + rice in T&T.

[ZhangFei]

Back to Safeway....... I think the worst Safeway ever is the one on Broadway and Commercial.

Ain't that the truth LOL. Its fuckin cracked out.

[danned]

so, what would be T&T like?
another superstore? with more non-asian people buying in there?

[hal0g0dv2]

for the same price of one measly sandwich, you get 2 items + rice in T&T.

he said sandwiches not a rice dish

[iwantaskyline]

for the same price of one measly sandwich, you get 2 items + rice in T&T.

You forgot the 2 L's f oil and msg.

[ZhangFei]

that's why i go to t&t. I like the 2 L's of oil and msg that comes with my 2 items + rice.

[orange7]

that's why i go to t&t. I like the 2 L's of oil and msg that comes with my 2 items + rice.

me too!!

We're on the same boat for once!

[ZhangFei]

me too!!

We're on the same boat for once!

hello. i'm the captain.

[goo3]

i hope they sell milk for cheaper

[cho]

are you guys really that fucking cheap that you want to save one to five dollars and risk food poisoning?

jesus, they were wrong about the jews.

its "best before", not "will be poison after"

[SumAznGuy]

its "best before", not "will be poison after"

But then again, there are lots of stuff that go bad before the "best before" date.
I've seen moldy cheese at Save-on. I bought fresh meat from Safeway that was packaged that day and when I got home, 10 min drive, the meat was stinking.
No need to talk about the crap from T&T and Superstore.

[InvisibleSoul]

But then again, there are lots of stuff that go bad before the "best before" date.
I've seen moldy cheese at Save-on. I bought fresh meat from Safeway that was packaged that day and when I got home, 10 min drive, the meat was stinking.
No need to talk about the crap from T&T and Superstore.
Well, something is definitely wrong there then... because under no circumstances should items from the grocery store have gone bad BEFORE the best before date... they should definitely err on the side of caution and have it such that the best before date is the EARLIEST it could start going bad...

[carmaniac]

Emperor's Choice?

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/images/stories/large/2008/09/11/Portrait_of_the_Qianlong_Emperor_in_Court_Dress.jp g

[asian_XL]

the employees should be happy they will get better benefits.

all the chinese employees will probably be replaced by white or brown...

[StylinRed]

all the chinese employees will probably be replaced by white or brown...

employees other than chinese ppl would be nice... im surprised no one has sued t&t for discrimination

[CorneringArtist]

employees other than chinese ppl would be nice... im surprised no one has sued t&t for discrimination

Yeah, HR language requirements....I've constantly looked over their job site, and all position require fluent Chinese. It's either discrimination or maintaining strong employee communication depending on how you look at it.

[boibuddha]

They're cleaning crew is brown; at least at the Surrey Central Location.

[Berzerker]

Every time I read the title I think it says "Lowball buys T&T" and i interpret it as some asshole on RS got some real cheap dynamite.

Berz out.

[wouwou]

employees other than chinese ppl would be nice... im surprised no one has sued t&t for discrimination

most of the product in T&T are in Chinese, followed by English titles that's badly translated. I think that is why there is the Chinese language requirement.

really no point to hire people who can not communicate the majority of T&T's consumer base

[mr_piggy]

employees other than chinese ppl would be nice... im surprised no one has sued t&t for discrimination

Many people including myself would stop shopping at T&T if they hired people who COULDN'T speak Chinese. T&T is a Chinese supermarket, most of their products don't have a English name or one that no Chinese person understands (i.e. piss poor English translations). Workers who don't know Chinese wouldn't understand the products and communicate/help customers find what they're looking for.

In any case, people that don't speak Chinese or don't know Chinese cuisine wouldn't shop at T&T anyways. I do think that they should hire more workers who can speak English, but Chinese is a must.

[mr_piggy]

Also they ARE trying to look more multicultural. I've only seen South Asian janitors at T&T stores and they probably should hire more Caucasians to do jobs that don't require contact with customers.

[asian_XL]

chinese bosses are cheap shit...

chinese who can speak fluent chinese -> $8 an hour
Brown guy -> $5 an hr under the table deal probably lol

[ZhangFei]

Also they ARE trying to look more multicultural. I've only seen South Asian janitors at T&T stores and they probably should hire more Caucasians to do jobs that don't require contact with customers.

while we are at that... let's have white girls working in chinese restaurants, japanese restaurants and bubble tea restaurants.

[hongy]

most of the product in T&T are in Chinese, followed by English titles that's badly translated. I think that is why there is the Chinese language requirement.

really no point to hire people who can not communicate the majority of T&T's consumer base

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b382/sale128/DVC00031.jpg

Like that? Hope T&T doesn't get flooded with white products.

[StylinRed]

Many people including myself would stop shopping at T&T if they hired people who COULDN'T speak Chinese. T&T is a Chinese supermarket, most of their products don't have a English name or one that no Chinese person understands (i.e. piss poor English translations). Workers who don't know Chinese wouldn't understand the products and communicate/help customers find what they're looking for.

In any case, people that don't speak Chinese or don't know Chinese cuisine wouldn't shop at T&T anyways. I do think that they should hire more workers who can speak English, but Chinese is a must.

the reasoning behind it isnt the issue

i could come up with legitimate reasons for not hiring blacks or hiring only whites but that's not the point

and all i was saying anyways was im surprised no ones sued em ;)

[Razor Ramon HG]

They're cleaning crew is brown; at least at the Surrey Central Location.

All cleaning crews I've encountered are either Brown, or SE Asian.

[goo3]

the reasoning behind it isnt the issue

i could come up with legitimate reasons for not hiring blacks or hiring only whites but that's not the point

and all i was saying anyways was im surprised no ones sued em ;)

if they didn't hire you cuz you couldn't speak a certain language, that's not illegal.

if you were a chinese speaking white dude and weren't hired cuz you were white, that's discriminatory.

otherwise a fluent english requirement wouldn't be allowed in job postings for say, customer service.

No one's sued them cuz, presumably, they haven't broke any laws.

[ImportPsycho]

How places that sell the same grocer but charges a premium survives is beyond me. Places like Safeway and IGA, why do ppl even go there when they know they'll get raped?

I go to SW to buy toilet papers only
it's maybe not as good deal as say... shoppers drug mart on sale
but 50~60 airmiles for two pack is ridiculously good deal compare to 1 AM point for $20 gas at shell

[Meowjin]

Many people including myself would stop shopping at T&T if they hired people who COULDN'T speak Chinese. T&T is a Chinese supermarket, most of their products don't have a English name or one that no Chinese person understands (i.e. piss poor English translations). Workers who don't know Chinese wouldn't understand the products and communicate/help customers find what they're looking for.

In any case, people that don't speak Chinese or don't know Chinese cuisine wouldn't shop at T&T anyways. I do think that they should hire more workers who can speak English, but Chinese is a must.

fuck you

seriously fuck you.

[misteranswer]

How places that sell the same grocer but charges a premium survives is beyond me. Places like Safeway and IGA, why do ppl even go there when they know they'll get raped?

Sale items are generally just as cheap, so if you're willing to let the grocery store decide what you should eat this week by only buying sale items then it's not much different. Also location. Transportation cost and time need to be factored in.

[mr_piggy]

fuck you

seriously fuck you.

This dumb-ass needs to get banned.

[StylinRed]

u changed ur post from telling him to keep his dick in his mom to trying to get him banned... oO the original msg was funnier

[Meowjin]

This dumb-ass needs to get banned.

http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/employment_equity/default-en.asp

You're the dumbass.

[jackmeister]

don't know if any of you have been to the T&T in West Edmonton Mall

they have white people working there. and im pretty sure they don't speak any chinese. but its pretty much only the exception.

being a chinese supermarket with a 90% chinese clientele, if fluent chinese/mandarin isnt a job requirement, what is?

[asian_XL]

http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/employment_equity/default-en.asp

You're the dumbass.

seriously, the act is there, but not doing anything...

I have been in the recruitment industry for years, and I can tell you
every...fucking...NA company discriminates when they select their
workers.

The most frequent criteria we get from them are...
1) Gender -> who the fuck wants a male secretary or personal assisant? come on. And why would you hire a woman to do heavy lifting jobs.
2) Age -> no one likes old farts
3) Race -> sometimes...not always. Usually 100% white companies want us to find them candidates that are white.
4) Appearance -> financial planner, tutors, PR staff...They want the best looking people to work for them.

Less common -> height, city, language, status...etc

those HR managers always do that, we just have to keep it ourselves

[MG1]

HOOTERS!!

[Sid Vicious]

Many people including myself would stop shopping at T&T if they hired people who COULDN'T speak Chinese. T&T is a Chinese supermarket, most of their products don't have a English name or one that no Chinese person understands (i.e. piss poor English translations). Workers who don't know Chinese wouldn't understand the products and communicate/help customers find what they're looking for.

In any case, people that don't speak Chinese or don't know Chinese cuisine wouldn't shop at T&T anyways. I do think that they should hire more workers who can speak English, but Chinese is a must.

Many people, including myself would stop living in Canada if their were alot of people who COULDN'T speak English. Canada is an English speaking country, many of our products don't have a Chinese name that Chinese people understand.

In any case, people who don't speak English or don't know Canadian culture wouldn't live in Canada anyways.

OH WAIT.....................:rolleyes:

[ienhz]

Yes, I will also stop eating at Japanese restaurants unless they hire Japanese people. Any other person could never truly understand what takoyaki or tempura is.

Same with Safeway. Only white people should work at Safeway. Chinese people only eat rice and dogs, what do they know about selling me food?!

/sarcasm (I am Chinese)

[wouwou]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b382/sale128/DVC00031.jpg

Like that? Hope T&T doesn't get flooded with white products.

there's also cock meat being sold by pounds

:D

[!LittleDragon]

Many people, including myself would stop living in Canada if their were alot of people who COULDN'T speak English. Canada is an English speaking country, many of our products don't have a Chinese name that Chinese people understand.

In any case, people who don't speak English or don't know Canadian culture wouldn't live in Canada anyways.

OH WAIT.....................:rolleyes:


I'm pretty sure anywhere you go that allows immigration will have this problem.

[!LittleDragon]

Yes, I will also stop eating at Japanese restaurants unless they hire Japanese people. Any other person could never truly understand what takoyaki or tempura is.

Same with Safeway. Only white people should work at Safeway. Chinese people only eat rice and dogs, what do they know about selling me food?!

/sarcasm (I am Chinese)


Actually when it comes to ethnic restaurants, I prefer ones run by the same people. Say, going for curry at an Indian or Thai restaurant and it's operated by a bunch of Italians... wouldn't you feel that it's authentic Indian food? Or some kinda strange asian fusion?

[SumAznGuy]

Actually when it comes to ethnic restaurants, I prefer ones run by the same people. Say, going for curry at an Indian or Thai restaurant and it's operated by a bunch of Italians... wouldn't you feel that it's authentic Indian food? Or some kinda strange asian fusion?

I always have this delema. Most East Indian restaurants that I have been to are run by East Indian people, with Samoas Garden being the only one with a white girl waitress.
Most chinese restaurants are run by chinese people, whether it be Hong Kong people, Taiwan people, or Mainlanders with the exception of one restaurant being run by East Indian people.
It's the Pho restaurants and Japanese restaurants that we have this issue with. I've seen Japanese restaurants run by chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and caucasian people. I've also seen Pho restaurants run by chinese people. :eek:

[SumAznGuy]

Well, something is definitely wrong there then... because under no circumstances should items from the grocery store have gone bad BEFORE the best before date... they should definitely err on the side of caution and have it such that the best before date is the EARLIEST it could start going bad...

You would think so. I work in the produce industry and lots of the packaged salads have a best before date, but if there is improper handling or if the cold chain is broken, the stuff will go bad before the best before dates.
Just like some of the fresh veggies. You really have no idea how old some of that shit is. A little bit of trimming will go a long ways to making the stuff sellable again.

[InvisibleSoul]

You would think so. I work in the produce industry and lots of the packaged salads have a best before date, but if there is improper handling or if the cold chain is broken, the stuff will go bad before the best before dates.
Just like some of the fresh veggies. You really have no idea how old some of that shit is. A little bit of trimming will go a long ways to making the stuff sellable again.
Sure, I can believe that... like I said, if that's happening, something is definitely wrong...

Anyways, maybe they can hire people that actually knows English now...

This was from the Richmond location just Friday...

http://i27.tinypic.com/2e36ao6.jpg

[hal0g0dv2]

^^ lol

[hongy]

^^Lol, there are so many english errors in T&T it only takes 5 mins to find something wrong.

[CorneringArtist]

It's FAR from like that in the Surrey Central T&T. A good amount is readable by any folk. I've spotted like 1 or 2 weird errors for some drink products, but that's bout it.

[AVS_Racing]

Sure, I can believe that... like I said, if that's happening, something is definitely wrong...

Anyways, maybe they can hire people that actually knows English now...

This was from the Richmond location just Friday...

http://i27.tinypic.com/2e36ao6.jpg

HAHAHAHAHA LOL true true :haha:

[SumAznGuy]

Sure, I can believe that... like I said, if that's happening, something is definitely wrong..


Part of the problem is that anything that needs to be refrigerated, kept cold, will start to go bad as soon as the cold chain is broken. Keeping it cold only slows down the breakdown process, obviously. Keep an eye out for the "I no longer want this item" section. Superstore is very bad when it comes to this. People take refergerated items and go up to the till and then they realize the item is either too expensive, they can go without it, or they grabbed the wrong item and leave them by the till, where they warm up and go bad. Some employees will just gather up the items and put them back in the refrigerated sections.
I suspect the rotten meat I got from Safeway turned bad because of the above mentioned reason. :cry:

Oh yeah, nice find on the multigain brean. :thumbsup:

[Durrann1984]

i find that Walmart sells cheap ass quality groceries
its gross

[GordonTse]

personally i only shop at Pricesmart and Superstore for groceries. usually the cheaper prices around and theres 2 Pricesmarts both >5 mins away in either direction. with superstore >10mins. safeway is god damn expensive and so is save-on foods. shoppers drug mart has the cheapest 4L jug of milk around tho.

[!LittleDragon]

I always have this delema. Most East Indian restaurants that I have been to are run by East Indian people, with Samoas Garden being the only one with a white girl waitress.
Most chinese restaurants are run by chinese people, whether it be Hong Kong people, Taiwan people, or Mainlanders with the exception of one restaurant being run by East Indian people.
It's the Pho restaurants and Japanese restaurants that we have this issue with. I've seen Japanese restaurants run by chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and caucasian people. I've also seen Pho restaurants run by chinese people. :eek:


Hey, I've seen a dim sum cart pushed by a Latino male in Oakland, CA... all for equal opportunity but when it comes to food, it's just strange.

[mr_piggy]

Yes, I will also stop eating at Japanese restaurants unless they hire Japanese people. Any other person could never truly understand what takoyaki or tempura is.

Same with Safeway. Only white people should work at Safeway. Chinese people only eat rice and dogs, what do they know about selling me food?!

/sarcasm (I am Chinese)

Wow are you and that son-of-a-whore AKA MajinHurricane highschool dropouts? LOL Can you people not read? When did I say they (T&T) must hire Chinese people? I said they should hire people who can UNDERSTAND Chinese.

If I go into a Japanese restaurant and if the people that work there don't know what Toro or Ikura or any other common Japanese names, you can bet your ass that I will not be returning LOL. But I bet you never have problems like that because all you and MajinHurricane eat are things that have names like Hamburger or French Fries. :rolleyes:

[SumAznGuy]

Hey, I've seen a dim sum cart pushed by a Latino male in Oakland, CA... all for equal opportunity but when it comes to food, it's just strange.

Looks like that guy upgraded from selling oranges under the highway off ramp.

If he was smart, he'd come to Vancouver to sell drugs and collect welfare.

[Nightwalker]

Walking straight out of the Wal-Mart here and into the Superstore, the Superstore feels ghetto.

[Nightwalker]

If I go into a Japanese restaurant and if the people that work there don't know what Toro or Ikura or any other common Japanese names, you can bet your ass that I will not be returning LOL. But I bet you never have problems like that because all you and MajinHurricane eat are things that have names like Hamburger or French Fries. :rolleyes:

HAHAHAHAHA sounds like you might miss out sometimes.

The staff can be blind deaf and dumb, purple blue or orange, if the service is good and the food is right I'm there.

[silk]

MajinHurricane eats salad, fries and burgers... and tips a lot
He does not eat dogs nor cats. He is the role model of white nation and love to comments on everything that relates to Chinese.

TIME IS MONEY, that's why I shop at T&T... Chinese cashier doesnt give a shit about "how you doing" "did you take a shit today" ... they scan thru the items and tell you GTFO, where as when I shop at Save-on..superstore..etc.. I am standing in line for extra 10 mins and listening to cashier crap conversation with the person ahead of me.

How you doing ?
Great... friday, pay day, im getting some grocery ..
Cool.. what's for dinner?
Hamburgers and fries...

[Meowjin]

Wow are you and that son-of-a-whore AKA MajinHurricane highschool dropouts? LOL Can you people not read? When did I say they (T&T) must hire Chinese people? I said they should hire people who can UNDERSTAND Chinese.

If I go into a Japanese restaurant and if the people that work there don't know what Toro or Ikura or any other common Japanese names, you can bet your ass that I will not be returning LOL. But I bet you never have problems like that because all you and MajinHurricane eat are things that have names like Hamburger or French Fries. :rolleyes:

Are you fucking retarded? I'm probably more fucking asian than you. I just don't understand how my people (the greeks) can immigrate to canada and learn better english than fobs who have been living here for 10 years. Also loblaws is an equal oppurtunity employer and all labels for goods sold in canada must have french and english on the items, that's why all the food at t&t has stickers over the ingredients.

By the way probably one of the better japanese places in richmond is run by a koreans, and the staff speaks perfect english and the place is jammed for lunch all the time. I also flew 16 hours for a bowl of pho and tonktatsu and I shop at T&T.

[Meowjin]

MajinHurricane eats salad, fries and burgers... and tips a lot
He does not eat dogs nor cats. He is the role model of white nation and love to comments on everything that relates to Chinese.

TIME IS MONEY, that's why I shop at T&T... Chinese cashier doesnt give a shit about "how you doing" "did you take a shit today" ... they scan thru the items and tell you GTFO, where as when I shop at Save-on..superstore..etc.. I am standing in line for extra 10 mins and listening to cashier crap conversation with the person ahead of me.

How you doing ?
Great... friday, pay day, im getting some grocery ..
Cool.. what's for dinner?
Hamburgers and fries...

I've eatten dog

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3530856760_5755739b94_b.jpg

You know what's funny? I was speaking vietnamese to these kids, and they were trying to speak english.

[silk]

I've eatten dog


You know what's funny? I was speaking vietnamese to these kids, and they were trying to speak english.


why is that funny to you? :confused::confused::confused:
seems pretty normal if they dont understand your vietnamese

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

still cant believe T&T getting bought out
they've been so sucessful here that they engulf the old food court at their Metrotown store.

They now have 4-5 stores in the GTA and they're super busy as well.

werd


they were expanding fairly quickly


the first one opened up in east van than followed by metro town

[ienhz]

Wow are you and that son-of-a-whore AKA MajinHurricane highschool dropouts? LOL Can you people not read? When did I say they (T&T) must hire Chinese people? I said they should hire people who can UNDERSTAND Chinese.

If I go into a Japanese restaurant and if the people that work there don't know what Toro or Ikura or any other common Japanese names, you can bet your ass that I will not be returning LOL. But I bet you never have problems like that because all you and MajinHurricane eat are things that have names like Hamburger or French Fries. :rolleyes:

Congrats on entirely missing the point you stupid sack of shit.

And for the record, I don't shop at T&T because there AREN'T enough fluent English speakers. I don't read Chinese, I can barely speak it (mostly in conversational form), and I sure as hell wouldn't know how to ask for most food items in Chinese. As long as someone knows what the items are, where they are, and maybe even has SOME interest in Chinese foods, I couldn't give two shits if they spoke Chinese or not. And this isn't even including the fact that half the shit at T&T is from Japan/has Japanese writing on the packaging.

Obviously they will have to keep people who speak Chinese for their current clientele but I see absolutely nothing wrong with hiring someone who doesn't speak Chinese.

[MG1]

TIME IS MONEY, that's why I shop at T&T... Chinese cashier doesnt give a shit about "how you doing" "did you take a shit today" ... they scan thru the items and tell you GTFO, where as when I shop at Save-on..superstore..etc.. I am standing in line for extra 10 mins and listening to cashier crap conversation with the person ahead of me.

How you doing ?
Great... friday, pay day, im getting some grocery ..
Cool.. what's for dinner?
Hamburgers and fries...

Ah......... I get it now. It makes so much sense now. I was wAndering what it was........... I must be more white than Asian (Chinese).

I much rather prefer cashier talk..... it's called making a connection with people and learning to listen and being, well........ polite. It makes so much sense now why parking lots at certain places are like chos. No time to stop and enjoy life and the company of others. Thanks for the enlightenment. And here I thought you learn nothing on Revscene. LOL.

BTW, I do shop at T&T and usually when I say hi, I at least get a smile. I guess people are people? Even if they're Chinese? Too much read between the lines........ gives headaches.

[q0192837465]

Well, to be fair. There are Chinese ppl living in HK for their whole lives and they still can't speak proper Cantonese.

[orange7]

Well, to be fair. There are Chinese ppl living in HK for their whole lives and they still can't speak proper Cantonese.

wow!! Did they isolate themselves from the society?

[silk]

Ah......... I get it now. It makes so much sense now. I was wAndering what it was........... I must be more white than Asian (Chinese).

I much rather prefer cashier talk..... it's called making a connection with people and learning to listen and being, well........ polite. It makes so much sense now why parking lots at certain places are like chos. No time to stop and enjoy life and the company of others. Thanks for the enlightenment. And here I thought you learn nothing on Revscene. LOL.

BTW, I do shop at T&T and usually when I say hi, I at least get a smile. I guess people are people? Even if they're Chinese? Too much read between the lines........ gives headaches.

You got it. As in chaos in the parking lots, we Chinese (majority of Asian in Canada) are like Zergling, we are massive and we love to rush. I am not going to deny we are bad drivers, even a Chinese driver hates another Chinese driver, I wouldn't be surprise you don't like them either.
You see, there are many other places you can "make connection" with other people,(gym, beach, nice COLD beer on a patio) but not in a supermarket. Have you ever consider the person behind you that you might be holding him/her in the line?

Culture is the main reason here, and I do understand lifestyle in Vancouver is more lay back.. that being said.. I now know where company name "Sleep Country Canada" is came from. Sometimes most of the people just toooo lay back.

I'm getting off-topic, I will refrain myself from posting in this thread unless it went into fight club.

[Alphamale]

TIME IS MONEY, that's why I shop at T&T... Chinese cashier doesnt give a shit about "how you doing" "did you take a shit today" ... they scan thru the items and tell you GTFO, where as when I shop at Save-on..superstore..etc.. I am standing in line for extra 10 mins and listening to cashier crap conversation with the person ahead of me.

How you doing ?
Great... friday, pay day, im getting some grocery ..
Cool.. what's for dinner?
Hamburgers and fries...

You know, sir, it is exactly this type of behaviour that negatively contributes to the well being of society and further perpetuates the decimation of social capital.

[Qmx323]

MajinHurricane eats salad, fries and burgers... and tips a lot
He does not eat dogs nor cats. He is the role model of white nation and love to comments on everything that relates to Chinese.

TIME IS MONEY, that's why I shop at T&T... Chinese cashier doesnt give a shit about "how you doing" "did you take a shit today" ... they scan thru the items and tell you GTFO, where as when I shop at Save-on..superstore..etc.. I am standing in line for extra 10 mins and listening to cashier crap conversation with the person ahead of me.

How you doing?
Great... friday, pay day, im getting some grocery ..
Cool.. what's for dinner?
Hamburgers and fries...

LOL. I work at save-on foods but I cash customers T&T style, get in, ring ur shit, gimme $$$ and gtfo. I only say Hi and talk if they talk first.

[rslater]

You know, sir, it is exactly this type of behaviour that negatively contributes to the well being of society and further perpetuates the decimation of social capital.

The way you say that is sexy.

[ZhangFei]

i want to see white girls serving pho!

end the discrimination NOW!

[Quicktrade]

I'm not excited yet until the price lowers...

[SumAznGuy]

werd


they were expanding fairly quickly


the first one opened up in east van than followed by metro town

????

According to the links that have been posted, the first T&T to open up was the one in Presidental Plaza.

T&T only moved into east Van when the Safeway closed up shop.

[SumAznGuy]

Obviously they will have to keep people who speak Chinese for their current clientele but I see absolutely nothing wrong with hiring someone who doesn't speak Chinese.

That is one of the main reasons why T&T has been so successful and why Loblaws wanted to buy them out.

T&T caters to the needs of a niche market that no other chain stores did back in the 90's. Heck, even today, the "asian" section of Safeway, SS, and Save-on do not compare to T&T.

Since that is their target market, I don't see why it is a big deal that they hire non-english speaking people to work the stores. Heck, even the caucasian guys with their japanese exchange student girlfriends are learning the chinese names of those items that they are buying from the T&T near Tinsel Town. :thumbsup:

Just like friendly chat, that is why older white people go to Safeway. They go there for the conversation, and to get help bringing out the groceries to their car.

You want cheap, you have Superstore, WalMart, Sunrise produce.

Save-on is somewhere in between Safeway and SS/Walmart.

Stores like Pricemart is there to bridge the gap between Save-on quality and Superstore prices.

[Meowjin]

why do you guys think because loblaws bought them out that they are going to change the company?

I think loblaw saw them as profitable and has the capital to expand faster.

[m4k4v4li]

fob asians buy out greek family restaurant

someone makes an rs thread

greek rs poster: that place is gonna suck now i think many of my greek friends are gonna stop going there.. they're prob gonna hire asian employees and fuck up the menu

chinese poster: ZOMG DISCRIMINATION!! there should be equal opportunities for employment, who said asians can't run a greek restaurant, why would you assume the place is going to run any different and have more asian employees, why you so racist, since when was being greek a requirement for running a greek restaurant yada yada yada ive got my panties all up in a bunch flippin out gettin choked for no reason

double standards ftl

[Meowjin]

resteraunt =/= supermarket. or else i would agree with you.

[Meowjin]

and btw olympia has mexicans working for them, so bad comparison. infact most "ethnic" resteraunts in the states have mexicans working for them.

[Qmx323]

and btw olympia has mexicans working for them, so bad comparison. infact most "ethnic" resteraunts in the states have mexicans working for them.

Where in the states don't they have mexicans working?

[Meowjin]

defiantely at US version T&T what will the chinese do now

[q0192837465]

I don't buy stuff in T&T so wutever. Mom & pop stores are cheaper anyways

[Razor Ramon HG]

Judging from the way Loblaws has operated its other stores, they'll probably hire a bunch of non-Chinese workers to promote multiculturalism in the workplace. Take a look at the Metrotown Superstore, they got people from everywhere (yes, even FOBs). I've noticed over the years that T&T has also gotten more and more non-Chinese shoppers, and you want at least some of your workers to be able to hold a conversation with your shoppers well, right?

[ZhangFei]

I was at Hanam Korean market today and I saw a white guy working there shelving salt.

[Qmx323]

^ He loves his korean girls

[SumAznGuy]

^ He loves his korean girls

No, he loves his white guys.

[unit]

I was at Hanam Korean market today and I saw a white guy working there shelving salt.

i can almost guarantee you he got hooked up with that job. no korean supermarket would hire non koreans... the owners dont even speak english nor do any of the customers. i dont know how a non-korean speaker would even attempt getting an interview at one of these places through a normal application process. its basically like T&T except probably even less people speak english.

[MG1]

I love Superstore for their innovative products. Some PC stuff is better than national brand name shit.

I love their Passion Fruit pop, General Tao chips, ketchup, seville orange mamalade, etc. I'm talking President's Choice stuff, not their No-Name crap.

Everyday stuff like milk and eggs are always cheap there and they automatically match prices. Plus, I do my banking there and use my points.

[stuff99]

I love Superstore for their innovative products. Some PC stuff is better than national brand name shit.

I love their Passion Fruit pop, General Tao chips, ketchup, seville orange mamalade, etc. I'm talking President's Choice stuff, not their No-Name crap.

Everyday stuff like milk and eggs are always cheap there and they automatically match prices. Plus, I do my banking there and use my points.

I think they got rid of their no name product brands already

[Razor Ramon HG]

They still have their NN products, but with simpler labels.

[CorneringArtist]

The NN is limited to stuff like chips, pizza pockets, frozen entrees, pet food and some canned stuff as far I've seen (probably WAY more like paper towels). The Tao chips are good, but I like the thick-ass baked potato flavoured chips more. The dinnerware they have seems pretty decent too.

[MG1]

The Tao chips are good, but I like the thick-ass baked potato flavoured chips more.

Yep........ I get the Aged Cheddar & Onion one. Love the resealable bag idea. I don't like the Greek flavoured one with the Feta cheese. I didn't know they were baked. Looks fried to me..........

[InvisibleSoul]

Yep........ I get the Aged Cheddar & Onion one. Love the resealable bag idea. I don't like the Greek flavoured one with the Feta cheese. I didn't know they were baked. Looks fried to me..........
The idea is decent, but the implementation is fail.

Makes getting to the chips much more difficult. :(

[MG1]

The idea is decent, but the implementation is fail.

Makes getting to the chips much more difficult. :(

Not if you take what you want and seal the rest up. Or leave it open, because it naturally stays closed enough that you don't have to do the usual roll up thing. Plus, it's easy to open the first time - grab the tab and pull.

It's way better design that other resealable bags where you have to tear above the seal. Then once you do that, you have to try and separate the two sides and that, is not easy.

[CorneringArtist]

Yep........ I get the Aged Cheddar & Onion one. Love the resealable bag idea. I don't like the Greek flavoured one with the Feta cheese. I didn't know they were baked. Looks fried to me..........

No no, you misread it. It's baked FLAVOURED. I want to try the cheddar and onion one, might taste like the Miss Vickies in the same flavour. First time I bought the chips, I managed to break the bag since I didn't know where the hell the sealing part was to get it open.

[Meowjin]

Yep........ I get the Aged Cheddar & Onion one. Love the resealable bag idea. I don't like the Greek flavoured one with the Feta cheese. I didn't know they were baked. Looks fried to me..........

greek ones should be just oregeno only just like greece