JB's Diary

While reading my morning Hindu, I overheard this discussion that Mangalam had with two of our neighbours. This discussions are quite common and mostly happen via the balconies. One of them is a middle-aged housewife, let us call her H and the other one is a younger woman, let us call her Y, who works from home as a telecaller. Mangalam is MB, as usual.

In the past I have seen their usual discussion is about their maids' tantrums or some new circular the eccentric housing society Secretary puts out periodically.

Today, the discussion was over how they bought their groceries.

Here is a brief of the conversation.

The always chirpy Y started the conversation.

Y : Do you know the grocery app Grofers is now offering 10 minutes grocery delivery in our area ?

MB : It does not mean anything to me. I buy my monthly provisions from our neighbourhood Satya Stores. I give him a monthly list and he sends it the next day. Even the next day delivery is OK for me. If something urgent is required, my husband or I pick up on the way during our walk.

H : Satya Stores..He is a thief..All his stuff is MRP..Sometimes he even charges more.

MB : Then where do you buy from ?

H : I go once every month to the D-Mart...I look at all the offers there..Usually, there are various offers..Depending on the deal available, I buy soap sometimes, shampoo sometime, biscuits sometime like that..Once I buy they may last me for 5-6 months also. I save a lot of money that way.

Y : Then when I run out of toothpaste in the morning, I will ask you ..Just joking.

MB : My provisions list is more or less the same for last so many years..Only when guests come or there are festivals it changes a bit.

Y : I cannot plan at all..We travel..we eat out..we have random guests , sometimes mine, sometimes my husband's..So this new service is really great. I don't even need to plan for a day..1 .Months or 5-6 months is too much for me.

H : I cannot afford ..Even if I can afford why to pay so much extra for the grocery as well as delivery charges.

MB : These delivery boys are coming so often to our complex these days..Looks like most people are like Y only .

Y : Auntie, that is the trend.

H : I will use them only when I run out of some item. You know, when I buy in bulk I often don't know what is there in my cupboard. Then kids these days are so fussy. Each has their own brand and variant preference. I cannot ask my daughter to use a brand which my son uses.

MB : I am too set in my ways..Two old persons, our consumption is so less, I cannot go to D-Mart. My head spins looking at the crowd and understanding those offers. 20 % off is better or Buy 3 get 1 free is better.

H : That is the real thril akka.

MB : I will stick to Satya Stores only..

H : Unless these app guys give me below MRP , I am not stopping going to D-Mart..That day is a fun day for me

Y : So it seems I am the only one excited by this new app...10 minutes delivery imagine... This is a boon for me...Bye, I have to get ready for work.

MB : Bye..Tell me when they promise 10 minutes, actually how much they take.

H : If they come with offers pl pass it on Whatsapp to me.

That left me wondering what kind of grocery shoppers are more. The traditional shoppers like MB or the ones visiting supermarkets like H or the new generation online shoppers like Y.

J Bhoothalingam