News.Scotland.Org

Hey! Is the supermarket you shop a branded one, does it reflects your high standards; that’s the new trend of shopping. These are the factors people are looking, before stepping into a supermarket. These retail stores are now becoming a modern-day status symbol. Research suggests that the main reason for people giving much hype for selecting a supermarket is due to social snobbery. This transformation seems the same way as one selects a posh school. Study points out that shopper believe the selection of supermarket reflects their social status in the society. Even in race for social status customers are not at all bothered, if their wallet is becoming lighter.

This eye raising study revealed that, people feel ashamed to been spotted shopping in any supermarket which is not branded and posh. They expressed that shopping in these branded shops will make them seem richer. In the era of retail shopping even these plushy retailers are investing immensely on ads and publicity to flash them in the consumer market. Leigh Sparks, professor of retail studies at the university of Stirling said, about “78 per cent of shoppers don’t switch their main choice of supermarket every year,” “But that might be just because customers are familiar with their most frequent choice. Most weekly shopping is done by rote, so knowing where everything is can be just as important as brand image.”

Customer not often change their brands, to do this either they might have gone through some bad experience or any other genuine factor may be there. Only a little portion of customers opt for brands due to public perception, added Prof Leigh Sparks. Experts says, nowadays the mind set of customer has socialised, now they are not seen to be stocking up on three-for-two as this would make them seem cheap. Patrica Lopes, public relation manager for Germany chain Lidl said : “The British market is very different to Germany and it is fair to say it took some adjustment when Lidl first opened in Britain. There isn’t really anything like M&S in Germany. “I think consumers have become aware that they end up paying for all the fancy shelving in higher prices. Ultimately, if the quality and price of what you are selling is right then that speaks for itself.”

This change of modern shopping habits has now crossed the normal shopping culture, this time its more sophisticated and opulent. It may the race to look posh and rich in society or it may be the signal that, purchasing power of customer has increased now. Whatever the reason may be the one who is benefited is the high branded stores who are cashing in these days. So next time when you step out for shopping just give a thought are you also racing hard to prove your status.

Scotland, Oct 10: Global warming and the allied climatic change is the matter of great concern in today’s scenario. Industrialisation and the steep rise in the pollution level are considered as the primary reason behind it. Scotland is not an exception to that. The increasing threat of climatic change and its adverse effects on the wildlife and its habitats has been exposed in the most comprehensive report on the country’s biodiversity ever published.

The study conducted by the Scottish Government, compiling important data from various environment agencies indicate the extinction of some species the reason for this is attributed to climatic changes. The study also hints to the fact that the sea bird population is on a decline along with some other species because of the unfavourable environmental condition. Meanwhile the number of terrestrial birds and wintering birds are flourishing.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) gathered most of the information for Scotland’s Biodiversity Indicators, by studying a broad range of 22 species and habitats. According to one of the indicators, the mammals occupied 92 percent of sites in 2004 as against 57 per cent in 1979.

While commenting on the study Edward Mackey, of SNH, point out some indicators of the study: “Soon after the damaged rivers of the central belt have been brought back into good ecological condition the number of Otters began to increase as the Otters highly depend on quality water. Historically they have been absent from the central lowlands of Scotland because the Forth and Clyde were very heavily polluted in the past.
The over fishing and fish stocking particularly cod being fished beyond their capacity to recover. Fish stocks are quite sensitive to management, and of 11 stocks that were assessed only seven were at full reproductive capacity in 2005. Not only the pollution level but the climatic change also playing a vital role.” said Mr Mackey.

The bird charity RSPB Scotland also warned of the dangers of climate change shown in the indicators, and pointed to the drastic drop in breeding sea birds, including a 95 per cent drop in Arctic tern.

The document of this study was published at the UK Biodiversity Partnership Conference held in Aviemore. Inaugurating the event the environment minister Mike Russell said: “Scotland should be deeply proud of its environment, but the warnings of the report shows there were major challenges ahead. Over generations humans have destroyed habitat, used resources unsustainably, introduced invasive species, and failed to protect wildlife. We are determined to reverse that damage wherever we can.” He said.

This report came as a warning at an apt time, as the whole world is rethinking about the drawbacks of industrialisation and pollution hike. Proper planning and its correct implementation without any delay will definitely save many species from the verge of extinction not only in Scotland but also in the whole world.