Category: Commerce

Products, services, marketing, names

Maximizing inefficiency in Uruguay

Well, not long ago I praised the “hipermercado” Géant which I had previously skewered for their thoughtless shopping cart arrangement. Turns out I was overly optimistic. Next time we went, I thought I‘d grab a cart from the front of the queue.

Maximizing inefficiency in Uruguay

Wrong: they want the same carts used over and over, every customer having to back one out.

At least their other store, our local Disco supermarket, had a pull-through arrangement. At least until very recently.

Maximizing inefficiency in Uruguay

Now they have actually installed a barrier to prevent convenient retrieval of shopping carts. Customers now have to back their cart out into the crowded area in front of the exterior door, then jockey through the one-at-a-time entry.

Unbelievable. Almost. Because Uruguay.

 

 

¡Milagro!

OK, not exactly a miracle, but feels like one after buying plastic ice trays that start breaking within a few days: orange ones purchased at Disco supermarket.

orange-ice-tray

Even after ten days in the land of low prices / high expectations (that would be ‘Murka; Uruguay being the land of high prices / low expectations), I still joy in something as simple as cheap orange ice trays that eject intact ice cubes — the entire tray! — and have shown no sign of cracking after several weeks.

Price shopping

We have two supermarkets in Atlántida, Tienda Inglesa and Disco, the latter a bit more down-scale. Because the wait for a cashier in Disco is often considerably longer, and it’s just a dingier experience overall, I seldom go there, but got inspired to compare prices.

Wine price comparison Uruguay: Tienda Inglesa, Disco
Wow! Quick way to knock 10% off the cost of wine.

I think that might change. A cashier offered that they also give you a further 10% on ten bottles or more, something I’ve certainly never heard at Tienda Inglesa.

Turning the heat to “low”

Gas stoves in Uruguay, generally not matched to the gas sold here
Onions and panceta getting ready for Sunday omelets

Amongst many other curiosities in Uruguay (such as virtually every refrigerator sold with a door that opens to the right, usually not reversible), you’ll probably end up with a gas stove that is not jetted properly for the “Supergas” sold here. Light the burner, turn it back towards “off” slightly, and if it’s the only thing you’re cooking, put some more distance between pan and heat!