Food Inflation

[kalakoa]

quote:

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Originally posted by Carey

At this moment there are quite a few retail spaces in the general area of the old Safeway location that are available, some stand-alone, some attached...the old Safeway is the largest sq ft of the available units.... possible too small for a big box & too large for most local retail....

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I watch the Hilo-big-retail district carefully; think of it as an economic indicator for the East Side.

Empty right now: former Blockbuster space, old Safeway, some slots inside PKP.

Overall growth (new Safeway/Target, Sports Authority, Zippy's) means the fill ratio is nearly flat, possibly a bit on the plus side.

Unlikely that a single local tenant can take the old Safeway and not compete, and it's too small for most national-brand retail (think: Best Buy). This location would make an excellent "specialty mall" (permanent flea market?) or an awesome indoor recreation facility (climbing walls, BMX bike course, ice rink).

The former Blockbuster could be used for lots of things.

Watch carefully; both "what" comes next and "how long it takes" speak volumes about the direction of the local economy.

[Adam-I-Am]

It's depressing that so many Americans cheer for and root for these Corporations. The founding fathers, and a lot of other 19th century presidents, KNEW and HATED the corporations — yet too, too many sheep-like Americans today will tell us how Wal-Mart is GOOD for the community.

I hope we shall crush ... in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations. — Thos. Jefferson, 1816

Corporations have been enthroned ... the money powers of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed. — Abe Lincoln

While the citizens are struggling far in the rear or are trampled beneath an iron wheel, corporations ... are fast becoming the people’s masters. — Grover Cleveland, 1888

[Bullwinkle]

quick point:

1) corporations (the majority of which are sub chapter s or small biz in Hawaii ) protect the personal assets from slip and falls in parking lots etc.

2) maybe if we started with tort reform and standard business contracts as opposed 5 pages of small print with exceptions and stacking the odds to the support the providers.

3) something needs to be done with personal liability - the way it reads now - if one has assets - they are responsible - if one doesn't - oh well......

4) eliminate bankruptcy --- you bought it - now you need to pay for it even though the item is in the landfill - just like the folks who saved up and paid cash....

edit: good read on minimum wage and how the gov't subsidies (our tax dollars) work for coporatons in keeping wage levels down - still think we get a "deal?"

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/arch...ge/277845/

[pahoated]

This first little bump in food inflation is only the beginning. The local inflation prices are going to go up much more during this summer. So many people that come here forget we are living on a big little island.

"This island Hawaii on this island Earth"

[PaulW]

"too many sheep-like Americans today will tell us how Wal-Mart is GOOD for the community"
The only argument you present consists of quotes from people who lived over 100 years ago. Who's the "sheep" now?

Walmart is very good for the community because they keep the prices low. That benefits everyone.
Well, everyone who doesn't boycott them.

Corporations are not the same as they were back when. They are publicly-traded entities. We own them.

If you think prices are high then imagine how much higher they would be if Walmart and Target weren't here!

[kalakoa]

quote:

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Originally posted by PaulW

"too many sheep-like Americans today will tell us how Wal-Mart is GOOD for the community"
The only argument you present consists of quotes from people who lived over 100 years ago. Who's the "sheep" now?

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US copyright law makes it too risky to use more recent quotes.

[unknownjulie]

Paul, I know what you're trying to say, but not all corporations are publicly held via stock offerings. I think it's "Tyson Foods" that congress was just having hearings about the chinese buying. I am too tired to look up whether Tyson is publicly traded or not. OUr food supply is just an enormous problem. We all need to plant some type of sustainable plants that you dont need roundup or chemical fertilizers for. IN the meantime, the stores are in existence, so I buy some food there.

[Rob Tucker]

I think China is considering a purchase of Smithfield.

[kalakoa]

Shuanghui International Holdings has agreed to buy U.S. pork producer Smithfield for $4.72B.

Currently under review by "Committee for Foreign Investment".

[PaulW]

Rice is (or was recently) $10 for a 20lb bag at Walmart. It is not a cost-effective use of my time to grow my own food.

Yes, not all corporations are publicly held. But most big ones are, including Walmart (WMT) and Target (TGT).
And no, I don't own shares in either.