Grocery prices

BLOG ON HERE: The most salient point that the NCA makes (and makes every time they issue a report) is the value of shopping around.

The retailers aren't doing anything inherently immoral or illegal that needs to addressed by Government - rather, people need to pay attention to prices and not just shop in one place. One area that might need to be addressed by government though is RGDATA's implication in blocking planning permission for large stores which would be in competition with their own members. That is a bit cheeky all round. - Tom Ennis

My typical shopping trip goes: Aldi for all the basics such as pasta, rice, some fruit & veg, tinned stuff, cold meats, cheese, detergents, biscuits, milk, wine, bottled water/soft drinks etc. Then Dunnes for some branded stuff (tea, butter, orange juice etc) and the remaining fruit and veg. At the same shopping centre there is a top-class butcher where I get meat. Then I finish up at Superquinn for bread, fish and those nice but expensive final bits and pieces. All three stops are about two minutes drive from one another and if you can avoid the impulse buys, it saves maybe €40-€50. - Colm

Music downloads court action

From all of us who turned away from record stores after seeing 40-year-old records selling for over €20: "Serves you right". - Steve K