just to let you know

Woolworths or "The Big V(iscious circle)"

Last Sunday, my wife, our daughter Milly and I went to the local "Big W" - a hypermarket branch of Woolworths plc. We needed to return an item we had bought days before and then choose something else.

We had to walk all the way to the back of the shop to get what we wanted - and therefore got quite a good idea of what this shop stocks. What caught my attention was this large selection of sweets and softdrinks. There were huge chocolate bars and masses of crisps to choose from. Softdrinks were all nicely arranged and assorted in the obvious buzzing freezers.

Despite the shop being fairly empty, we saw quite a lot of obese and overweight men and women pushing their way through these "aisles of sweetness". All of the se sweet treats were arranged perfectly for both kids and parents: easy to reach and near the exit.

I know that these consumers have brains and they should know what they're feeding themselves with. But with regard to all the negative news about british issues with overweightness and obesity - I wonder what Woolworths top-managers think what their contribution to our society's health is ? I think that consumers should call for far more responsible decision makers in these sort of companies. I also think that there is more than shareholder value.

And it doesn't even stop here: there are now various TV programmes dealing with people's weight problems. Do these TV channels care about the health of frustrated and unmotivated persons? Or does it merely make good telly and sells even more of the sweets their audiences stuff themselves with? A vicious circle.

Posted by Michael at August 17, 2004 11:31 PM