Help Save Market Basket!!!

RailroadJoe · 08-04-2014, 06:38 PM

If Arther T gets back as CEO , you can almost bet that every employee will be offered their job back plus bonuses and other fringe benefits that he will make.

Rusty · 08-04-2014, 07:22 PM

When I saw all the people protesting today at the job fair, it totally disgusted me.

Enough is enough!!! I was all for the workers in the beginning but now it has gone too far.

To destroy a company the way these people are doing it is insane. You can say the new CEO is the bad guy but I think different now.

However if that's what they all want to do then they had better be prepared to suffer the consequences.

OK, now let me have it!

Chaselady · 08-04-2014, 07:34 PM

I sympathize with everyone but what does this thread have to do with the Lakes Region? It seems like everyone has gotten involved with trying to decipher the broken business model, but does it have any meaning for the Winni Forum?

Rusty · 08-04-2014, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaselady

I sympathize with everyone but what does this thread have to do with the Lakes Region? It seems like everyone has gotten involved with trying to decipher the broken business model, but does it have any meaning for the Winni Forum?

You don't find this fascinating and of interest to thousands of Lakes Region people who shop at MB?

I'm very interested in what this forum has to say about it.

I shopped there and want to continue to shop there.

HellRaZoR004 · 08-04-2014, 07:56 PM

This certainly has a lot to do with the lakes region. Didn't the Tilton Shaw's just close b/c of competition like MB right down the street?

Chaselady · 08-04-2014, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

You don't find this fascinating and of interest to thousands of Lakes Region people who shop at MB?

I'm very interested in what this forum has to say about it.

I shopped there and want to continue to shop there.

I would like to shop there also. But this thread has gone on, and on, and ON. And there seems to be a never ending supply of opinions, and speculation about a business that IMO will survive, or crash and burn despite what the Forum members think.

Charlie T · 08-04-2014, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaselady

I would like to shop there also. But this thread has gone on, and on, and ON. And there seems to be a never ending supply of opinions, and speculation about a business that IMO will survive, or crash and burn despite what the Forum members think.

Chaselady I don't see what the problem with this thread is. There are diverse points of view that being expressed by many including yourself. No one is being anything but civil. A thread wouldn't be this long unless it related to us and our forum. If this needed to be shut down I'm sure the webmaster would do so. If you don't want to read it any longer no one is forcing you to.

Bigstan · 08-04-2014, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie T

Chaselady I don't see what the problem with this thread is. There are diverse points of view that being expressed by many including yourself. No one is being anything but civil. A thread wouldn't be this long unless it related to us and our forum. If this needed to be shut down I'm sure the webmaster would do so. If you don't want to read it any longer no one is forcing you to.

What Charlie said....

My loyalty has changed. My local MB had 3 girls in chairs by entrance #1, and 5 men by entrance #2. I drove past #1 as I normally park by #2, the fact there were 5 cars in the lot should have tipped me off. I kept driving slowly, trying to see if they were open or not. When I got to the end the guys by #2 stood up and looked at me, then waved. Not quite blocking the entrance, but right there on top of it......the store was dark at 8:30 on Saturday AM so I kept going.

There are side lots, they may have been open they may not have been. But employees boycotting @ the entrance is an intimidation thing....you dont intimidate me but I can see how you would others. I am close to saying fire them all, if the stores can open and you are stopping them then you should be blocked from the premesis and replaced.

Enough is enough.....

RailroadJoe · 08-05-2014, 06:52 AM

I still shop at MB. I stopped there yesterday and talked to the people outside. I told them I have to get something they sell and no others do. I think it cost me a full $2.50 They are still very courteous and I think they are the winners no matter what happens. Good old Americans fighting for what they know is right. Too Bad Rusty.

Happy Gourmand · 08-05-2014, 07:15 AM

This is not at all about greed on the part on the employees. They are protesting to maintain their status quo. Artie S and company want to shift pay and benefits that are now available to employees to his own pocket. If Artie S is successful, Market Basket will be just another Super Market with high prices and minimum wage employees. (think Walmart). Market Basket is very unique in that they pay above average wages, maintain low prices and provide a great shopping experience. If you like Market Basket and want to continue to benefit from the low prices and the rest of the benefits, then you should think about supporting these loyal employees. They are putting their necks on the line for you as much as for anything or anybody else.

dave603 · 08-05-2014, 08:34 AM

Your right Phantom, but it is getting out of hand. there are three MBs in Nashua, one Hanaford and two Shaws.
With the MBs closed you can barley get into the Hanaford's store it's so crowded. I have not seen it like this since holiday shopping just before Thankgiving.

I stopped and ate lunch in the MB parking lot, and only saw one person go in and come out with anything at all, looked like one item. This has got to be killing the business.
Artie $, needs to get rid of his hate, and back out.

MAXUM · 08-05-2014, 08:56 AM

One thing that hasn't been mentioned here, but would be rather interesting.

So S now has control over the MB empire, clearly his philosophy is different and so long as he is calling the shots the "niche" or "advantage" MB has will eventually disappear and the future of the whole chain could be jeopardized. Plus no matter what the employees do, the one thing he cannot control is the customers.

T is certainly sitting on some serious personal wealth, and with his proven success, the way this situation has played out in the public arena, I would find it hard to believe that he's not contemplating the idea of pooling some investors together and starting up his own chain. With his track record, I'd certainly be an investor. I like his style, his discipline, his ideas of how to successfully run a business, keep it profitable AND take care of his employees. Heck the way things are looking, there will be ample space available when MB starts having to close stores. He also has a huge workforce that is ready and willing to work for him. Sure it stinks to start over, but at least there would no longer be any more family fighting, he could cash out what interest he has in MB sever the ties and go for it.

patman · 08-05-2014, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave603

Artie $, needs to get rid of his hate, and back out.

That makes sense from where you and I are sitting, but...this is a family feud, and ASD already went waaaaay out of his way to get rid of ATD. At the end of the day, it may simply boil down to not letting ATD win...and any chaos or collateral damage created as a result is completely irrelevant. It's not like ASD needs the money.

At this point I think it hinges on how far the other folks with controlling interests in MB are willing to follow ASD. We know at least one changed their position in the past (which is how ATD was ousted in the first place) and if they or others get tired of the effects, they could change alliances.

I just want MB back the way it was. A good store with good value and happy employees.

dave603 · 08-05-2014, 09:10 AM

What would happen if the the sisters or even one of them decide to get out and sell their shares to Artie T? wonder if that would be enough to get controlling shares and then just neuter Artie S?

Happy Gourmand · 08-05-2014, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave603

What would happen if the the sisters or even one of them decide to get out and sell their shares to Artie T? wonder if that would be enough to get controlling shares and then just neuter Artie S?

From what I read, Artie T holds 49.5% interest in the company now. He doesn't need much more to put him back in the driver's seat.

Farfrumbehavin · 08-05-2014, 09:39 AM

It would only make sense to me that every one in the MB family can look up and see two very large birds circling overhead. Shaw's own's 155 stores with over 30,000 employees, Hannaford is owned by an American subsidiary of of the Belguim Delhaize Group, who owns 1,100 stores along the eastern seaboard and in 2013 sold 104 Sweetbay Supermarket locations in Fla. My guess is that they have some pretty deep pockets! One would think that the biggest loss so far in this story is the value of the company. It could be that ASD eventually entertains an offer from one of the big supermarket giants rather than to turn it over to his cousin! I'm sure the circling birds must have a number in thier head ! You don't even have to beat the competition, just let it beat itself. Many times the key to success is good timing. Just Sayin!

dave603 · 08-05-2014, 09:46 AM

I don't think any of the big companies would touch this with a ten foot pole. Without Artie T running it, it's like being elected the President of Iraq, really not worth the trouble your buying into.

MAXUM · 08-05-2014, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farfrumbehavin

It would only make sense to me that every one in the MB family can look up and see two very large birds circling overhead. Shaw's own's 155 stores with over 30,000 employees, Hannaford is owned by an American subsidiary of of the Belguim Delhaize Group, who owns 1,100 stores along the eastern seaboard and in 2013 sold 104 Sweetbay Supermarket locations in Fla. My guess is that they have some pretty deep pockets! One would think that the biggest loss so far in this story is the value of the company. It could be that ASD eventually entertains an offer from one of the big supermarket giants rather than to turn it over to his cousin! I'm sure the circling birds must have a number in thier head ! Just Sayin!

For local competition, why touch MB? At this point why buy out the "competition" when it's internal strife is booming your business and it's not costing you a dime to benefit from it. If anything you can bet they are all cheering for this to never end anytime soon.

Farfrumbehavin · 08-05-2014, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAXUM

For local competition, why touch MB? At this point why buy out the "competition" when it's internal strife is booming your business and it's not costing you a dime to benefit from it. If anything you can bet they are all cheering for this to never end anytime soon.

Why not buy it when value of the company is at an all time low, Operate as a MB and control the whole market. Eliminate the competition completely. You might think that no body would touch this with a ten foot pole, but where are you going shop when this is over? If ASD maintains control cuts employees beneifits and raises prices than what seperates MB from everyone else. At that point I'd go to the store that is the most convenient. I'm sure the competition is loving the effect it is having on thier business and I bet they would love to see it stay that way. But we know that's not going to happen. We can get by with a lot of things in life but canned peaches are a must! We will only be left with a few choices, no matter who owns the stores. ATD and ASD have become house hold names around here but like after any war, eventually every body will go back about their daily lives and grocery shopping is part of that. I guess I was thinking this is economics 101, and when the competitor goes into a wobble you move in for the kill. I doubt that these international companies are interested in local concerns. Just throwing something else out there!

nhcatrider · 08-05-2014, 01:30 PM

T and his family own more of the real estate than S and his cronies. That being said, it was the root cause of all of this, S and his side feel that they are being cheated on that end. If the company does fold, they will both own empty stores. T has the experience, knowledge, skill and available work force to start over again. S has no idea how to run a grocery store, which is pretty obvious at this point.

ITD · 08-04-2014, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

When I saw all the people protesting today at the job fair, it totally disgusted me.

Enough is enough!!! I was all for the workers in the beginning but now it has gone too far.

To destroy a company the way these people are doing it is insane. You can say the new CEO is the bad guy but I think different now.

However if that's what they all want to do then they had better be prepared to suffer the consequences.

OK, now let me have it!

I don't see it that way Rusty, from what I read, Arthur S. gained control and the first thing he did was make a $300 million distribution to the share holders. A move like this can be devastating to a company, especially one in such a competitive market. From what I understand Arthur T has been growing the company by leaps and bounds during his tenure, which is very capital intensive. The moves by Arthur S. are destabilizing and will, in my opinion, result in the demise of MB, as prices will have to increase to pay for things and cuts will have to be made, most likely affecting the employees. I think the employees are brave by putting it on the line, I think the board and Arthur S. never in their wildest dreams thought anything like this would happen. I think they thought of the employees as chattel, more akin to livestock than humans who can think for themselves. I think this was a huge miscalculation by the BOD and Arthur S. To me the prudent thing for them to do is sell out. They will get their money, and hopefully Arthur T. will be able to recover and make it work. I think the devastation of the company that is happening now, the fault for that lies squarely on Arthur S. shoulders, he should have been smarter, but hatred clouds judgment...

I personally will not step foot in a MB again, unless the employees get Arthur T. back, while I was not a regular customer, I was about to become one as they are building an MB near me...... this bums me out.

There are many employees at MB, some are young, some more seasoned. As with any large group of people, some will make mistakes, some are probably not too bright and will offend, and most are genuine and have asked for the customer's help. If avoiding MB will help, I'm more than willing to pitch in .......

secondcurve · 08-05-2014, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

When I saw all the people protesting today at the job fair, it totally disgusted me.

Enough is enough!!! I was all for the workers in the beginning but now it has gone too far.

To destroy a company the way these people are doing it is insane. You can say the new CEO is the bad guy but I think different now.

However if that's what they all want to do then they had better be prepared to suffer the consequences.

OK, now let me have it!

Rusty you confuse me. Somewhere in one of your past posts I recall you stating you were about as liberal as they come. I on the other hand am fairly conservative. You are against Market Basket labor as you note above. I on the other hand cannot be more supportive. How can a lefty not love Artie T, his position and what he means to these employees? Doesn't the left want the 1 percent to share their bounty, reinvest in their businesses and have good relations with labor? Isn't, that what is happening here? In spades? Why are you throwing in the towel on Market Basket labor and effectively pulling for the guy who is going to extract significant capital from the company via a massive dividend, likely raise prices on consumers and reduce benefits to labor? Isn't this what the left hates? I think Artie T and Market Basket represent capitalism at its best. Treat your employees fairly so they give their best, deliver a competitively priced product to the market and reinvest heavily back into the business. The result of this approach is you dominate the market as Artie T, his employees and Market Basket have shown. I am ok if it gets messy for a while and I have to shop somewhere else. You should be, too.

dave603 · 08-05-2014, 06:11 PM

Don't turn this into a liberal vs conservative thing.
This is about a store most people in the area enjoy the way it was.

Rusty · 08-05-2014, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Rusty you confuse me. Somewhere in one of your past posts I recall you stating you were about as liberal as they come. I on the other hand am fairly conservative. You are against Market Basket labor as you note above. I on the other hand cannot be more supportive. How can a lefty not love Artie T, his position and what he means to these employees? Doesn't the left want the 1 percent to share their bounty, reinvest in their businesses and have good relations with labor? Isn't, that what is happening here? In spades? Why are you throwing in the towel on Market Basket labor and effectively pulling for the guy who is going to extract significant capital from the company via a massive dividend, likely raise prices on consumers and reduce benefits to labor? Isn't this what the left hates? I think Artie T and Market Basket represent capitalism at its best. Treat your employees fairly so they give their best, deliver a competitively priced product to the market and reinvest heavily back into the business. The result of this approach is you dominate the market as Artie T, his employees and Market Basket have shown. I am ok if it gets messy for a while and I have to shop somewhere else. You should be, too.

Just to be clear here, I am not against MB labor. I am against them yelling at people who want to shop there and this has got to stop!

They are acting like a bunch of children who can't get their way. They need to grow-up and get back to work and let the MB family resolve this one way or another.

Please leave politics out of this.

secondcurve · 08-05-2014, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

Just to be clear here, I am not against MB labor. I am against them yelling at people who want to shop there and this has got to stop!

They are acting like a bunch of children who can't get their way. They need to grow-up and get back to work and let the MB family resolve this one way or another.

Please leave politics out of this.

Interesting. It is the employees fault and they need to get back to work so the owners can solve the problem? And they yelled at some folks? Unfortunately, fighting for what you believe in is sometimes messy.

ITD · 08-05-2014, 08:05 PM

I suppose if you really think about it the "scabs" are the customers who cross that line......

CAVU · 08-05-2014, 08:21 PM

Where in this area is a market basket?? I once saw one in MA many years ago. I've never been to one personally, ever... It must down on the south side of the lake

I usually go to EM Heaths or Harvest. I try to stay away from big business.

Bigstan · 08-05-2014, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Interesting. It is the employees fault and they need to get back to work so the owners can solve the problem? And they yelled at some folks? Unfortunately, fighting for what you believe in is sometimes messy.

You nailed it (in a way), they now ARE the problem. So if they need to get back to work, the solution is to shut down the business based upon the bad things they say/think 'will' happen? Cant buy into that, sorry.

Enough emails and memos have been leaked - if there was a smoking gun that showed impending changes to employee pay / benefits / profit sharing / etc. that would have shown up by now. So I still dont buy into the premise here.....

'Fighting for what you believe in' is not acceptable if it stifles free enterprise or blocks me (or makes me feel like I need to provide a reason) from entering an establishment in order to make a purchase. Yelling at me if I do enter is just pathetic.

This is called impeding free enterprise. The company has been lenient and allowed protests to happen at their own front doors up until now. That needs to stop...and the only reason it would be allowed to continue would be they have written off the business and are waiting for the highest offer to shake itself out.

Who wins then?

RailroadJoe · 08-06-2014, 06:11 AM

I was shoppng there last week for an item that I can only get there. The people out front were as nice as usual and I had a chat with them.. Today I have to go and load up on my candy (Skybars) that they carry. I will talk to the employees and even ask if I can get them something like chips or soda. I support them and only shop for one or two items. The rest I go and pay higher prices at Hannaford.

secondcurve · 08-06-2014, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RailroadJoe

I was shoppng there last week for an item that I can only get there. The people out front were as nice as usual and I had a chat with them.. Today I have to go and load up on my candy (Skybars) that they carry. I will talk to the employees and even ask if I can get them something like chips or soda. I support them and only shop for one or two items. The rest I go and pay higher prices at Hannaford.

Joe

I also went into a market basket recently and no one as much as looked at me crossed eyed. I don't think this behavior is widespread. The employees are too smart.

secondcurve · 08-06-2014, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigstan

You nailed it (in a way), they now ARE the problem. So if they need to get back to work, the solution is to shut down the business based upon the bad things they say/think 'will' happen? Cant buy into that, sorry.

Enough emails and memos have been leaked - if there was a smoking gun that showed impending changes to employee pay / benefits / profit sharing / etc. that would have shown up by now. So I still dont buy into the premise here.....

'Fighting for what you believe in' is not acceptable if it stifles free enterprise or blocks me (or makes me feel like I need to provide a reason) from entering an establishment in order to make a purchase. Yelling at me if I do enter is just pathetic.

This is called impeding free enterprise. The company has been lenient and allowed protests to happen at their own front doors up until now. That needs to stop...and the only reason it would be allowed to continue would be they have written off the business and are waiting for the highest offer to shake itself out.

Who wins then?

Stan: when you are taking massive dividends they must be paid for in some manner such as increased prices, reduced benefits and/or limited capital expenditures. This is a penny business and choices must be made. I agree that customers shouldn't be harassed and as I posted above I don't think this is happening in a meaningful way. I also don't think the employees are trying to close the business rather they are trying to drive it in a direction that is mutually beneficial for capital, labor and customers. Further, when a massive non unionized workforce pulls together with this much moxie they know exactly what the facts are. One of the owners has a black hat and one has a white hat. It is cut and dry.

chipj29 · 08-06-2014, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Stan: when you are taking massive dividends they must be paid for in some manner such as increased prices, reduced benefits and/or limited capital expenditures. This is a penny business and choices must be made. I agree that customers shouldn't be harassed and as I posted above I don't think this is happening in a meaningful way. I also don't think the employees are trying to close the business rather they are trying to drive it in a direction that is mutually beneficial for capital, labor and customers. Further, when a massive non unionized workforce pulls together with this much moxie they know exactly what the facts are. One of the owners has a black hat and one has a white hat. It is cut and dry.

I don't think so either. But I don't think the employees realize all the potential consequences for their actions.

Bigstan · 08-06-2014, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Stan: when you are taking massive dividends they must be paid for in some manner such as increased prices, reduced benefits and/or limited capital expenditures. This is a penny business and choices must be made. I agree that customers shouldn't be harassed and as I posted above I don't think this is happening in a meaningful way. I also don't think the employees are trying to close the business rather they are trying to drive it in a direction that is mutually beneficial for capital, labor and customers. Further, when a massive non unionized workforce pulls together with this much moxie they know exactly what the facts are. One of the owners has a black hat and one has a white hat. It is cut and dry.

You are making my point for me.

Are you saying the board came in one day and said lets take a $300m distribution, we can pay for it by raising prices?

Or did they say we have a huge amount of cash on the balance sheet, lets pocket some and we'll still have plenty left? You don't know the distribution schedule, this could have been planned for some time.

You don't know, and I don't know - but to say the only way to pay for a distribution is to raise prices or reduce spending/benefits is overly simplistic and not true. Companies accrue cash - at some point you do something with it.

Again - your theory is based on an assumption that cannot be proven. You assume prices will have to be raised, I see no reason why that is the only reasonable scenario.

dave603 · 08-06-2014, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigstan

You are making my point for me.

Are you saying the board came in one day and said lets take a $300m distribution, we can pay for it by raising prices?

Or did they say we have a huge amount of cash on the balance sheet, lets pocket some and we'll still have plenty left? You don't know the distribution schedule, this could have been planned for some time.

You don't know, and I don't know - but to say the only way to pay for a distribution is to raise prices or reduce spending/benefits is overly simplistic and not true. Companies accrue cash - at some point you do something with it.

Again - your theory is based on an assumption that cannot be proven. You assume prices will have to be raised, I see no reason why that is the only reasonable scenario.

The problem with that is, that money was slated to open new stores, some that were being built and some already built. They didn't open them. check into the new building in Waltham Ma. it's built and not opened, and has been for some time, so it has nothing to do with the current situation, they took the money instead of opening the stores.

Bigstan · 08-06-2014, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave603

The problem with that is, that money was slated to open new stores, some that were being built and some already built. They didn't open them. check into the new building in Waltham Ma. it's built and not opened, and has been for some time, so it has nothing to do with the current situation, they took the money instead of opening the stores.

I can look out my window and see that building - it is far from ready. There are a thousand reasons that (and other) construction in the area have been slowed down or stopped. It took them two years to open a Panera down the road for similar reasons.

As for the developer of that site - they are proceeding regardless ( http://1265main.wordpress.com/ ).

In their current state they will not be moving in anywhere anytime soon, agreed. There are certainly contractual obligations involved and I am sure they will have to adhere to them. But if the status quo doesn't change you should not be worrying about new stores, you should be worrying about there being any stores.

dpg · 08-06-2014, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigstan

I can look out my window and see that building - it is far from ready. There are a thousand reasons that (and other) construction in the area have been slowed down or stopped. It took them two years to open a Panera down the road for similar reasons.

As for the developer of that site - they are proceeding regardless ( http://1265main.wordpress.com/ ).

In their current state they will not be moving in anywhere anytime soon, agreed. There are certainly contractual obligations involved and I am sure they will have to adhere to them. But if the status quo doesn't change you should not be worrying about new stores, you should be worrying about there being any stores.

Waltham is no where near ready inside, I live 8 or 9 miles down the street. It's not sitting ready to open (yet.) Maybe I'm wrong but I've always heard late fall 2014. IF that's true it seems to be on track.

dave603 · 08-06-2014, 12:26 PM

http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/...RJJ/story.html

SIKSUKR · 08-06-2014, 01:29 PM

That pretty much says it all. What the heck is the BOD's mindset right now? What a mess.

fatlazyless · 08-06-2014, 04:33 PM

...just drove past the proposed MB site in Plymouth and saw Artie T and Artie S together, shaking hands and both holding up a large gold shovel together, posing for the camera, as they broke ground at the new Plymouth NH Market Basket ...... scheduled to open on Halloween-2015 ..... trick or treat

!

AB_Monterey · 08-06-2014, 10:14 PM

My understanding was that the company is debt free.

The AS side wants to take on debt to pay themselves hefty bonuses.

This is NOT a case of cash on hand that needs to be distributed.

That seems like a poor business decision to me. That debt will need to be repaid and that money will come from somewhere.

08-05-2014, 06:11 PM	#23
dave603 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Nashua/Winnisquam Posts: 282 Thanks: 106 Thanked 96 Times in 49 Posts	OH Please Don't turn this into a liberal vs conservative thing. This is about a store most people in the area enjoy the way it was.

08-06-2014, 12:26 PM	#37
dave603 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Nashua/Winnisquam Posts: 282 Thanks: 106 Thanked 96 Times in 49 Posts	What about this then! http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/...RJJ/story.html

08-06-2014, 01:29 PM	#38
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	That pretty much says it all. What the heck is the BOD's mindset right now? What a mess. __________________ SIKSUKR

08-06-2014, 04:33 PM	#39
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,762 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,014 Times in 739 Posts	...new Plymouth NH Market Basket! ...just drove past the proposed MB site in Plymouth and saw Artie T and Artie S together, shaking hands and both holding up a large gold shovel together, posing for the camera, as they broke ground at the new Plymouth NH Market Basket ...... scheduled to open on Halloween-2015 ..... trick or treat! __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

08-06-2014, 10:14 PM	#40
AB_Monterey Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 293 Thanks: 86 Thanked 78 Times in 49 Posts	My understanding was that the company is debt free. The AS side wants to take on debt to pay themselves hefty bonuses. This is NOT a case of cash on hand that needs to be distributed. That seems like a poor business decision to me. That debt will need to be repaid and that money will come from somewhere. Last edited by AB_Monterey; 08-07-2014 at 07:40 AM.

08-04-2014, 06:38 PM	#1
RailroadJoe Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 620 Thanks: 259 Thanked 158 Times in 100 Posts	If Arther T gets back as CEO , you can almost bet that every employee will be offered their job back plus bonuses and other fringe benefits that he will make.

08-04-2014, 07:22 PM	#2
Rusty Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2,028 Thanks: 603 Thanked 687 Times in 425 Posts	When I saw all the people protesting today at the job fair, it totally disgusted me. Enough is enough!!! I was all for the workers in the beginning but now it has gone too far. To destroy a company the way these people are doing it is insane. You can say the new CEO is the bad guy but I think different now. However if that's what they all want to do then they had better be prepared to suffer the consequences. OK, now let me have it! __________________ It's never crowded along the extra mile.

08-04-2014, 07:34 PM	#3
Chaselady Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Melvin Village Posts: 309 Thanks: 150 Thanked 105 Times in 73 Posts	I sympathize with everyone but what does this thread have to do with the Lakes Region? It seems like everyone has gotten involved with trying to decipher the broken business model, but does it have any meaning for the Winni Forum?

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08-04-2014, 07:56 PM	#5
HellRaZoR004 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Litchfield/Gilford Posts: 828 Thanks: 233 Thanked 224 Times in 131 Posts	This certainly has a lot to do with the lakes region. Didn't the Tilton Shaw's just close b/c of competition like MB right down the street?

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08-05-2014, 06:52 AM	#9
RailroadJoe Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 620 Thanks: 259 Thanked 158 Times in 100 Posts	I still shop at MB. I stopped there yesterday and talked to the people outside. I told them I have to get something they sell and no others do. I think it cost me a full $2.50 They are still very courteous and I think they are the winners no matter what happens. Good old Americans fighting for what they know is right. Too Bad Rusty.

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08-05-2014, 07:15 AM	#10
Happy Gourmand Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ruskin FL Posts: 1,027 Thanks: 188 Thanked 322 Times in 179 Posts	This is not at all about greed on the part on the employees. They are protesting to maintain their status quo. Artie S and company want to shift pay and benefits that are now available to employees to his own pocket. If Artie S is successful, Market Basket will be just another Super Market with high prices and minimum wage employees. (think Walmart). Market Basket is very unique in that they pay above average wages, maintain low prices and provide a great shopping experience. If you like Market Basket and want to continue to benefit from the low prices and the rest of the benefits, then you should think about supporting these loyal employees. They are putting their necks on the line for you as much as for anything or anybody else.

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08-05-2014, 08:34 AM	#11
dave603 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Nashua/Winnisquam Posts: 282 Thanks: 106 Thanked 96 Times in 49 Posts	Your right Phantom, but it is getting out of hand. there are three MBs in Nashua, one Hanaford and two Shaws. With the MBs closed you can barley get into the Hanaford's store it's so crowded. I have not seen it like this since holiday shopping just before Thankgiving. I stopped and ate lunch in the MB parking lot, and only saw one person go in and come out with anything at all, looked like one item. This has got to be killing the business. Artie $, needs to get rid of his hate, and back out.

08-05-2014, 08:56 AM	#12
MAXUM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kuna ID Posts: 2,755 Thanks: 246 Thanked 1,942 Times in 802 Posts	One thing that hasn't been mentioned here, but would be rather interesting. So S now has control over the MB empire, clearly his philosophy is different and so long as he is calling the shots the "niche" or "advantage" MB has will eventually disappear and the future of the whole chain could be jeopardized. Plus no matter what the employees do, the one thing he cannot control is the customers. T is certainly sitting on some serious personal wealth, and with his proven success, the way this situation has played out in the public arena, I would find it hard to believe that he's not contemplating the idea of pooling some investors together and starting up his own chain. With his track record, I'd certainly be an investor. I like his style, his discipline, his ideas of how to successfully run a business, keep it profitable AND take care of his employees. Heck the way things are looking, there will be ample space available when MB starts having to close stores. He also has a huge workforce that is ready and willing to work for him. Sure it stinks to start over, but at least there would no longer be any more family fighting, he could cash out what interest he has in MB sever the ties and go for it.

08-05-2014, 09:10 AM	#14
dave603 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Nashua/Winnisquam Posts: 282 Thanks: 106 Thanked 96 Times in 49 Posts	What would happen if the the sisters or even one of them decide to get out and sell their shares to Artie T? wonder if that would be enough to get controlling shares and then just neuter Artie S?

08-05-2014, 09:39 AM	#16
Farfrumbehavin Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 52 Thanks: 7 Thanked 11 Times in 5 Posts	It would only make sense to me that every one in the MB family can look up and see two very large birds circling overhead. Shaw's own's 155 stores with over 30,000 employees, Hannaford is owned by an American subsidiary of of the Belguim Delhaize Group, who owns 1,100 stores along the eastern seaboard and in 2013 sold 104 Sweetbay Supermarket locations in Fla. My guess is that they have some pretty deep pockets! One would think that the biggest loss so far in this story is the value of the company. It could be that ASD eventually entertains an offer from one of the big supermarket giants rather than to turn it over to his cousin! I'm sure the circling birds must have a number in thier head ! You don't even have to beat the competition, just let it beat itself. Many times the key to success is good timing. Just Sayin!

08-05-2014, 09:46 AM	#17
dave603 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Nashua/Winnisquam Posts: 282 Thanks: 106 Thanked 96 Times in 49 Posts	I don't think any of the big companies would touch this with a ten foot pole. Without Artie T running it, it's like being elected the President of Iraq, really not worth the trouble your buying into.

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08-05-2014, 01:30 PM	#20
nhcatrider Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 167 Thanks: 19 Thanked 29 Times in 27 Posts	T and his family own more of the real estate than S and his cronies. That being said, it was the root cause of all of this, S and his side feel that they are being cheated on that end. If the company does fold, they will both own empty stores. T has the experience, knowledge, skill and available work force to start over again. S has no idea how to run a grocery store, which is pretty obvious at this point.

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08-05-2014, 08:05 PM	#26
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,930 Thanks: 477 Thanked 693 Times in 388 Posts	I suppose if you really think about it the "scabs" are the customers who cross that line......

08-05-2014, 08:21 PM	#27
CAVU Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 98 Thanks: 0 Thanked 41 Times in 19 Posts	Where in this area is a market basket?? I once saw one in MA many years ago. I've never been to one personally, ever... It must down on the south side of the lake I usually go to EM Heaths or Harvest. I try to stay away from big business.

08-06-2014, 06:11 AM	#29
RailroadJoe Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 620 Thanks: 259 Thanked 158 Times in 100 Posts	I was shoppng there last week for an item that I can only get there. The people out front were as nice as usual and I had a chat with them.. Today I have to go and load up on my candy (Skybars) that they carry. I will talk to the employees and even ask if I can get them something like chips or soda. I support them and only shop for one or two items. The rest I go and pay higher prices at Hannaford.