Senior management have visited the Brodick Co-op store this week as a result of e-mails sent to their head office complaining about bare shelves and lack of choice.
Arran residents say they have had enough of the empty shelves and poor selection in the Brodick Co-op store and they want something to be done about it.
Mrs Gerry Waters from Lamlash said: ‘I have been unimpressed with the Brodick Co-op store for a few weeks now but things came to a head on Sunday whilst shopping in the store, funnily enough for my Sunday dinner.
‘I was disgusted with the empty shelves and lack of choice on the fresh vegetable stand, bread and meat compartments.’
In recent months the number of complaints about the store have been increasing.
With the new winter ferry timetable now in operation islanders say there is no excuse for lack of choice.
Mrs Waters added: ‘This is not the first time the store has been empty of produce, but it was certainly by far the worst I have seen in over two years and we’re only just approaching the winter season.
‘Is this a preview of what to expect in the future?’
Many believe that the Co-op has a monopoly over the island’s grocery stores, which have made them too relaxed in their approach.
‘If they can’t sustain enough stock to feed the island where do they suggest we shop if they can’t get their stock control right?’ added Mrs Waters.
One customer remarked: ‘To shop in the Co-op you either have to be an alcoholic or a chocoholic. That’s all they seem to sell. I only shop there now if I absolutely have to. Otherwise I try to go to the smaller shops on the island or Asda in Ardrossan.’
In a reply to a letter sent to the Co-op, manager Ken MacKenzie wrote: ‘I have already been made aware of this situation by another customer earlier this week including a number of photos which were sent electronically. There is absolutely no excuse for this level of ‘out of stocks’ nor can we blame the ferries.
‘Senior management have been in Brodick already this week as a direct result of a number of e-mails and I can assure you that I am aware of the shortcomings identified and I can assure you that weekend visits by senior managers will be increased to monitor first hand the availability across the store and to monitor the overall level of customer service.’
Another spokesman for The Scottish Co-operative added: ‘We are aware of the recent problems at the Brodick store and we have taken action to rectify this unacceptable situation. Furthermore, senior managers will continue to monitor the store in the coming months to ensure this does not happen again. We sincerely apologise to our valued customers on Arran.’
