Cyprus-Forum.com

[kurupetos]

I have been to Carrefour in the Mall in Nicosia some time ago.

It's true there were not so many items on the shelves.

Unfortunately they don't sell many Cypriot products. I don't think I will be visiting them any time soon.

[supporttheunderdog]

And now we have it

Greek retail group Marinopoulos applies for creditor protection

This is of course the firm that owns and operates the Carrefour Brand in Cyprus....,

http://cyprus-mail.com/2016/06/29/greek-retail-group-marinopoulos-applies-creditor-protection/

Greek media estimated the group had about €700m in outstanding debts to 2,000 suppliers. Those figures could not immediately be verified.

Not good news...

c

The good news is that the Cyprus operation does not appear to be affected...

They would say that, wouldn't they!

Wait and see!

You are not a messenger but a hopeful harbinger.

- You just couldn't wait to bring all of that bad news to my door ...

and

you wish nothing but demise for the RoC.

;-|

[supporttheunderdog]

It appears to have been kept relatively quiet (but not a secret) as there was very little in the press, but as part of the bailout deal for Marinopoulos, where everything has been bought out by Sklavenitis, the Carrefour name has now vanished from the shops and their own-brand products shelves. Apart from that, so far no clear difference in-side the store.

[Robin Hood]

Passed the Carrefour in Limassol this morning and the huge Carrefour signs have gone! Apparently the staff have been told that they are going to start importing from Greece and will sell cheaper merchandise. Problem with that is, that about 2km up the road is a Lidl ..... which sells cheaper merchandise but still retain the quality ! If low prices for Greek produce means low quality I don't think they will last long. Lidl's is always busy!

[supporttheunderdog]

Passed the Carrefour in Limassol this morning and the huge Carrefour signs have gone! Apparently the staff have been told that they are going to start importing from Greece and will sell cheaper merchandise. Problem with that is, that about 2km up the road is a Lidl ..... which sells cheaper merchandise but still retain the quality ! If low prices for Greek produce means low quality I don't think they will last long. Lidl's is always busy!

Yes and new Lidl is going up at other end of town about 2Km from the other large Carrefour, the former "Chris Cash and Carry" . My own view of Lidl is that SOME of their products are worth considering, as being acceptable quality. We often use Alpha Mega, Papantoniou and Lidl, with the Lidl/Papantoniou proximity in Ypsonas being very convenient.

One must wonder how close to saturated the Market is with supermarkets:
Quick List of known Chains,
Sklavenitis (Carrefour as was), Alpha Mega, Plus, Smart, Pop Life, Papantoniou, (as robbed) Lidl, Debenhams, (food halls) to name those I can think of, plus all the smaller independents.

There is only so much trade to go around.

[Robin Hood]

STUD:

Papantoniou, (as robbed) .......

Got there some short while after the robbery. Didn't see any action but the Disabled Parking area was taped off and the police team were just arriving. All wearing rubber gloves and shoe covers. Young CID (20's?) girl was walking around the area kicking at bits on the ground....... before putting little yellow/black numbered signs here and there. She must have been new to the job? Very professional!!!

[Londonrake]

I (that's of course the Royal "I". My role is purely subservient. I spend most of the time in the "toys" section ) frequently use Lidl.

A couple of weeks ago though we went for the first time into the adjacent Papantoniou. We were pleasantly surprised at the range and quality of their stuff. Whilst "I" will still be a Lidl's punter I'm pretty sure we will now tend to pop into Paps afterwards.

Didn't an early Lidl's over to the east get mysteriously burned to the ground one night?

[supporttheunderdog]

Indeed it did! The Protaras Store, which was rebuilt very fast.

I have found we can normally only get 60% of our regular shopping from Lidl so having Paps next door is very useful to top-off. The wife Likes Papantoniou. I have just found there is one a bit nearer than Ypsonas, so might give it a look to see how the range compares, but as it is in town getting there is not quite so easy as Ypsonas. I quite like Alpha Mega, but find it slightly disturbing to think of Tesco's own brand as a being touted as a quality import label. Those products too can ge cheaper than other local alternatives. However, With the new Lidl going up near the Cinema, just 5 minutes drive, plus most others not that much more in travelling time, we really will be spoilt for choice. We also have a couple of good Frutarias and a butcher very close by.

it will be intersting to see what Sklavenitis brings to the market by way of change. Carrefour shook things up in the way products were organised. Chris Cash and Carry as was, was not. I always found our local Orphanides a bit gloomy. I would not however dismiss their business model of selling cheaper Greek products as they seem to be doing OK in Greece, and I woukd not dismis those products simply as they are less costly, let alone because they are Greek. If it Dies tge job, at a good price, I will buy.

[Londonrake]

Indeed it did! The Protaras Store, which was rebuilt very fast.

I have found we can normally only get 60% of our regular shopping from Lidl so having Paps next door is very useful to top-off. The wife Likes Papantoniou. I have just found there is one a bit nearer than Ypsonas, so might give it a look to see how the range compares, but as it is in town getting there is not quite so easy as Ypsonas. I quite like Alpha Mega, but find it slightly disturbing to think of Tesco's own brand as a being touted as a quality import label. Those products too can ge cheaper than other local alternatives. However, With the new Lidl going up near the Cinema, just 5 minutes drive, plus most others not that much more in travelling time, we really will be spoilt for choice. We also have a couple of good Frutarias and a butcher very close by.

it will be interesting to see what Sklavenitis brings to the market by way of change. Carrefour shook things up in the way products were organised. Chris Cash and Carry as was, was not. I always found our local Orphanides a bit gloomy. I would not however dismiss their business model of selling cheaper Greek products as they seem to be doing OK in Greece, and I woukd not dismiss those products simply as they are less costly, let alone because they are Greek. If it Dies tge job, at a good price, I will buy.

Yes, we use the Ypsonas Lidl, with Paps just up the road. Personally I much prefer Paps. It's far more interesting. I found the goods more varied and interesting, the staff more helpful and of course you can get a coffee there.

Carrefour always seemed quite expensive to me. Although, as one who is relegated to wandering around, thumb up bum, I did find it quite an interesting place. I look forward to checking out the new replacement.

I suspect the Metro near Lidl's new store that you are talking about is doomed. TBH I won't be too upset about that as the way people park outside it makes getting through a bit dicey, particularly at night.

It's hard to keep up with all these supermarket changes.

[GreekIslandGirl]

It's hard to keep up with all these supermarket changes.

Don't worry. STUD will keep you informed of every single movement in case those Cypriots/Greeks mess up without the Imperialist Brits telling them what to do and how to do it.