Good Corporate Citizens ?
Most of you will know a bit about The Warehouse , and their actions lately . Even putting aside your feelings about their products or staff , when the lockdown was first announced , they decided they were an essential business . Seriously , they did . Because they sell big packs of toilet rolls , feminine personal products , and warm childrens clothing . That was ACTUALLY what they said ! So they wanted all their stores open , selling all sorts of , well , you know the kind of stuff they sell .
Basically , completely came across as greedy , manipulative , even putting their staff at risk and/or want to get work out of everyone they have to pay wages for . Widely ridiculed .
Then come the 'essential' products category that was actioned yesterday -- and yes , they had their website up and running , selling heaters and fridges and laptops and cellphones .
And seemingly straight away , they applied to open 'selected stores' for customers who wanted to pick up their products , and/or rural clients . Yes , still clutching at every excuse IMO .
Now comes news that Harvey Norman have emailed the owners of all their New Zealand stores saying they will NOT be paying leases whilst this lockdown is on . Obviously , this is almost certainly in breach of their lease agreements . Some small businesses have negotiated with their landlords . But this ( according to news reports ) was not negotiation -- it was simply a standard e-mail advising landlords -- no negotiation . Basically , bullying . Large purpose built premises that would be hard to re-lease . Suck it or we'll make you take us to court basically .
And Countdown too -- initially told any staff who objected to working ( on health grounds ) they wouldn't get paid . Cancelled specials . Seemingly put some prices up . After their competitor kept running specials AND offered staff a 10% 'bonus' , Countdown seems to have fallen into line , which is good ( eventually ) . I remember the boycott of them a few years ago though , over their bullying of suppliers -- 'we will only buy if we get extra discounts , we don't care if you lose money -- take it or leave it' .
Personally , I haven't gone to any of those 3 businesses much , so not much will change , but I do look at the overall image of a business . I don't have a heap of money , but again just me personally , I'd sooner support businesses that align more with my morals and ethics .
This piece may get deleted ( although I believe it is all factual ) but feel free to add any comments or other businesses you want to praise or point out what you don't like .
What's your favourite piece of Waikato history?
Car parks inspired a milking shed design that took off around the world and became a piece of Waikato District history.
A hundred-year-old church and gravestones from the 1880s will also feature as the district turns the spotlight on its past for its first Heritage Day on April 20.
Do you think the city needs more affordable housing projects?
An affordable rental development has been left scrambling to secure funding after it was unexpectly turned down by central government.
Bridge Housing Trust plans to build a 42 apartment complex on the corner of Tristram and Liverpool Streets in Hamilton central over two buildings. The land is being donated by Perry Group, which currently owns both sites.
You can help grow the Waikato Community Rugby Fund
Waikato Rugby celebrated 100 years of service to the community in 2021, but due to the pandemic the long-planned celebrations were not held until late 2022.
A highlight was a black-tie event at GloBox Arena at Claudelands where over 300 people enjoyed a wonderful night of reminiscence, remembrance, reconnection and reflection on what our national game means to the Waikato.
Many people put a lot of work into making the evening a massive success by all sorts of measures. One was fundraising $21,000 for the good of the game through auctions and donations, which has recently been transferred to the Waikato Community Rugby Fund at Momentum Waikato.
The Fund grows in perpetuity, with distributed returns only used for the benefit of the amateur community rugby, forever.
Donations to the Waikato Community Rugby Fund are always most welcome, to find out more and donate click the button below.
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