http://www.thepunch.com.au/tags/shopping/ Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. en Copyright 2012 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/coles-woolies-shoot-each-other-but-farmers-get-shot/ Last week Coles announced that it plans to cut the price of fruit and vegetables by up to 50 per cent. Its major competitor, Woolworths soon followed. The price war sounds like great news for Australian consumers. But while it may provide relief to hip-pockets around the country in the short-term, questions are now being asked about the true impact of bargain basement pricing. For most Australians, grocery shopping is a chore we have to squeeze into our busy lives. We rush up and down the aisles, tossing products into our trolley while we mentally juggle the household budget and keep the kids entertained. With all that in mind, it’s not surprising that we embrace bargains, specials and sales with enthusiasm. But how often do we stop to consider the impact our shopping habits have on the wider community? The truth is that someone always bears the cost of cheap produce, whether it be small retailer, distributor or farmer. It may be beneficial to our hip pocket today, but tomorrow that sale price may have untold social or environmental costs. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/coles-woolies-shoot-each-other-but-farmers-get-shot/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/coles-woolies-shoot-each-other-but-farmers-get-shot/#item7701 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 If you’re a parent, you may think the seasonal requirement to buy your children stocking-loads of plastic crap has finally come to an end. “Phew,” you may be saying (or perhaps flatulating if you consumed one too many prune-stuffed ham fists over Chrimbo). “At last it will be possible to enter a shopping centre without being pressured to purchase a googolplex of anatomically unsound dolls, micro vehicles and cyber pets.” http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/christmas-is-over-but-the-brats-need-more-bratz/ If you’re a parent, you may think the seasonal requirement to buy your children stocking-loads of plastic crap has finally come to an end. “Phew,” you may be saying (or perhaps flatulating if you consumed one too many prune-stuffed ham fists over Chrimbo). “At last it will be possible to enter a shopping centre without being pressured to purchase a googolplex of anatomically unsound dolls, micro vehicles and cyber pets.” feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/christmas-is-over-but-the-brats-need-more-bratz/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/christmas-is-over-but-the-brats-need-more-bratz/#item7441 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 If you’re a parent, you may think the seasonal requirement to buy your children stocking-loads of plastic crap has finally come to an end. “Phew,” you may be saying (or perhaps flatulating if you consumed one too many prune-stuffed ham fists over Chrimbo). “At last it will be possible to enter a shopping centre without being pressured to purchase a googolplex of anatomically unsound dolls, micro vehicles and cyber pets.” http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/a-learned-meditation-on-the-true-meaning-of-christmas/ Around this time of year I usually like to write a column about the magic of Christmas. Possibly because around this time of year it usually is Christmas. For many people, Christmas is the most joyous day of the year, which says a lot about our society. I don’t think it’s prejudiced to say that only Western European-based culture is civilised enough to celebrate the birth of a doomed baby by cutting down a tree and eating a dead animal. Indeed, the prospect of Jesus being born just so He can be nailed to a tree in the prime of his life because the rest of us didn’t want to stop sinning makes us incredibly happy for some reason, the most likely one being that we are sadists. This would also explain Christmas shopping. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/a-learned-meditation-on-the-true-meaning-of-christmas/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/a-learned-meditation-on-the-true-meaning-of-christmas/#item7445 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 If you’re a parent, you may think the seasonal requirement to buy your children stocking-loads of plastic crap has finally come to an end. “Phew,” you may be saying (or perhaps flatulating if you consumed one too many prune-stuffed ham fists over Chrimbo). “At last it will be possible to enter a shopping centre without being pressured to purchase a googolplex of anatomically unsound dolls, micro vehicles and cyber pets.” http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Hypocrite-Harvey-goes-stormin-into-cyberspace/ If you’re in a Harvey Norman store right now preparing to buy a video game, put it down. Gerry has commanded you. The CEO of electronics chain Harvey Norman Gerry Harvey has admitted defeat and will finally be opening an online store. But he won’t be selling fridges. Oh no. Nor will he be selling fans, or air-conditioning units, or iPods, iPads, televisions or cameras. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Hypocrite-Harvey-goes-stormin-into-cyberspace/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Hypocrite-Harvey-goes-stormin-into-cyberspace/#item7437 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 If you’re a parent, you may think the seasonal requirement to buy your children stocking-loads of plastic crap has finally come to an end. “Phew,” you may be saying (or perhaps flatulating if you consumed one too many prune-stuffed ham fists over Chrimbo). “At last it will be possible to enter a shopping centre without being pressured to purchase a googolplex of anatomically unsound dolls, micro vehicles and cyber pets.” http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-22-12-2011/ We keep hearing that retail sales are flat in the lead-up to Christmas. We also keep hearing that more and more people are shopping online. We are yet to understand just how much the latter is undermining the former - especially in Australia this Christmas. You tell us. Are you spending a little less in the stores this Christmas. If so, why? Is it because you’re jittery about the global economy and how the effects may flow on down to Australia? Or are you just spending dollar for dollar online? This we know. The cool weather in south eastern Australia is partly blamed for slow sales. Retailers are even offloading casual workers early, news.com.au reports. What else is on your mind this Thursday, Punchers? feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-22-12-2011/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/punch-on-open-thread-22-12-2011/#item7429 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 If you’re a parent, you may think the seasonal requirement to buy your children stocking-loads of plastic crap has finally come to an end. “Phew,” you may be saying (or perhaps flatulating if you consumed one too many prune-stuffed ham fists over Chrimbo). “At last it will be possible to enter a shopping centre without being pressured to purchase a googolplex of anatomically unsound dolls, micro vehicles and cyber pets.” http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/no-ho-ho-its-a-father-christmas-shortage/ Not enough people are applying for the job of Local Shopping Centre Santa. People are un-applying in plague proportions. Turns out being urinated on for four weeks by other peoples’ greedy brats isn’t such a hot ticket after all. It may be that the ratio of children to deep-voiced jolly men with robust thighs is off. It could be that those that are around and available are worried about the potentially awkward and litigious practice of having children sit on your lap and ask you for presents. Or of course for any children reading, it could be that there’s only one Santa, and he’s busy making peanut-free toys for you all at the North Pole. Probably hanging out with Jesus or something, I don’t know. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/no-ho-ho-its-a-father-christmas-shortage/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/no-ho-ho-its-a-father-christmas-shortage/#item6862 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 If you’re a parent, you may think the seasonal requirement to buy your children stocking-loads of plastic crap has finally come to an end. “Phew,” you may be saying (or perhaps flatulating if you consumed one too many prune-stuffed ham fists over Chrimbo). “At last it will be possible to enter a shopping centre without being pressured to purchase a googolplex of anatomically unsound dolls, micro vehicles and cyber pets.” http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/ms-jellybonkers-guide-to-backyard-bra-fitting/ The female bosom is rarely short of attention. High brow art. Low brow ogling. Web sites such as www.whoppin’greatboosiewahwahs.com. While that last URL may be a tiny bit made up, we all know that the big problem with boobs is usually a surplus rather than a deficit of interest. Which is why it’s so bizarre that it’s become so hard to find a decent bra fitter. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/ms-jellybonkers-guide-to-backyard-bra-fitting/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/ms-jellybonkers-guide-to-backyard-bra-fitting/#item6843 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 If you’re a parent, you may think the seasonal requirement to buy your children stocking-loads of plastic crap has finally come to an end. “Phew,” you may be saying (or perhaps flatulating if you consumed one too many prune-stuffed ham fists over Chrimbo). “At last it will be possible to enter a shopping centre without being pressured to purchase a googolplex of anatomically unsound dolls, micro vehicles and cyber pets.” http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/plastic-wastelands-the-mall-the-merrier/ They’re calling it the “mother of all mega malls”. Frank Lowy’s Stratford Westfield; home to seven miles of shop windows, 300 outlets, 70 restaurants, 5,000 car spaces and 50, 000 lights. Sounds like hell. But you’d check it out, you know you would. People love to shop. Fast, convenient and completely mind-numbing. Shopping has become the ultimate lifestyle activity; shopping malls the modern equivalent of the town square. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/plastic-wastelands-the-mall-the-merrier/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/plastic-wastelands-the-mall-the-merrier/#item6729 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 If you’re a parent, you may think the seasonal requirement to buy your children stocking-loads of plastic crap has finally come to an end. “Phew,” you may be saying (or perhaps flatulating if you consumed one too many prune-stuffed ham fists over Chrimbo). “At last it will be possible to enter a shopping centre without being pressured to purchase a googolplex of anatomically unsound dolls, micro vehicles and cyber pets.” http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Dont-let-your-little-darlings-near-the-Kit-Kat-aisle/ The mere thought of taking a small child to a supermarket makes me tense. I twist up like a pretzel. One is bad enough, passing through the turnstile with two or more is basically extreme sport. I watch in awe when I see an adult with a veritable litter in and around their trolley. I try not to stare when the adult agrees to: a fistful of Wiggles toothbrushes; the laxatives that their two year old is convinced are a chocolate bar; and a Disney torch, just to keep the peace, just to keep moving. Then, and only when the trolley is half full, the one year old has commenced imitating a car alarm and the two year old is opening the laxatives, I overhear the four year old make a most compelling and specific case for locating the bathroom instantly. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Dont-let-your-little-darlings-near-the-Kit-Kat-aisle/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Dont-let-your-little-darlings-near-the-Kit-Kat-aisle/#item6473 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 If you’re a parent, you may think the seasonal requirement to buy your children stocking-loads of plastic crap has finally come to an end. “Phew,” you may be saying (or perhaps flatulating if you consumed one too many prune-stuffed ham fists over Chrimbo). “At last it will be possible to enter a shopping centre without being pressured to purchase a googolplex of anatomically unsound dolls, micro vehicles and cyber pets.” http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Families-close-for-business-when-shops-open-longer/ According to Penbo, the retail union’s anachronistic attachment to Catholic values - keep the Lord’s day holy and all that - spells trouble for the retail industry. As a card-carrying Catholic, and a former member of (and organiser for) the shop assistants’ union, I thought it might be fair to lob a few thoughts into the mix by way of retort. As it happens, my mum and sister run a bookshop in Sydney’s CBD (www.portico.com.au), and a mighty fine one at that, so I am no stranger to the challenges faced by retailers in the current market. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Tory Shepherd) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Families-close-for-business-when-shops-open-longer/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Families-close-for-business-when-shops-open-longer/#item6451 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:45:28 +0000 If you’re a parent, you may think the seasonal requirement to buy your children stocking-loads of plastic crap has finally come to an end. “Phew,” you may be saying (or perhaps flatulating if you consumed one too many prune-stuffed ham fists over Chrimbo). “At last it will be possible to enter a shopping centre without being pressured to purchase a googolplex of anatomically unsound dolls, micro vehicles and cyber pets.”