It is about time the rules of shopping inside a supermarket in Hong Kong are made public because, quite frankly, some people are completely unaware that rules even exist.
I am a regular supermarket shopper and am just a tad sick of folk who cannot conduct themselves in a civil fashion while getting their groceries. Here are the basics for those of you out there who seem to be new to the whole concept of pushing a trolley around a few aisles.
Rules for Shoppers
1. Only two people per trolley. Please take note all tourists to Sai Kung on Sundays who feel the need to enter Welcome or ParkNShop in order to shop for a barbecue. Do not and I repeat DO NOT enter the supermarket if you are in a group of three or more and feel the need to gather around one trolley while one of your group gives the rest of you suggestions about what to buy and then you all discuss it, laugh far too much and too loud, while the world shattering decision about the purchase of water, plastic table cloths, disposable barbecue forks, paper plates and various meat items are put in the trolley.
2. Once inside the entrance get your trolley quickly. Do not hover around the supply of baskets or trolleys and dither with your bag, umbrella or worse, try hiding your small dog in your bag. You should, while still walking, swiftly collect your basket and move into the shop and begin putting stuff in it. Very Important. Keep up the swift walking pace throughout your shop.
3. No mobile phones. Resist the urge to phone the folks back home and give them ridiculous choices such as 'broad beans or peas?' If you are a real grown up you can make those kinds of decisions on your own. Plus it is irritating to the folks at home who, believe me, couldn't care less. Also resist the urge to enter into a long conversation while shopping for groceries, therefore, subjecting other shoppers to the delights of your recent night out or the failings of your children's teacher. If you are speaking Cantonese - try a soft voice!
Basic rules for supermarkets in Hong Kong:-
1. Make your aisles wider.
2. Stop putting piles of produce in front of the shelves displaying other goods.
3. At Chinese New Year just stop it with the music will you!
4. Install conveyor belts so your staff will not be injured from RSI.
5. Try having your shop on the ground floor.
6. Try having a car park conveniently situated next to your store so that customers with trolleys full of goods can actually get it to their car or taxi.
7. Keep your trolleys in a place which doesn't block the door way or the access to shelves.
Having shopped in large braches of Tesco and Sainsburys in the UK I have cleverly uses their techniques to try to help the owners of Welcome and ParkNShop here in HK because they have little idea what a terrible experience it is buying food in their stores.
Recent Comments