Olympic Shopping

Competition between supermarkets is certainly on the increase and, as the attack on the finite consumer dollar gains momentum, entrepreneurs are seeking more imaginative ways to attract shoppers.

Lower prices? Of course, but it's difficult to win a price war and still keep shareholders happy.

Friendly service? Everybody's on that bandwagon and, while it makes Supermarket A a more pleasant place to shop, it does the same for B, C and D.

Smooth-running shopping trolleys? If only! But if the trolleys can't be kept in good order, why not change the way we use them.

Enter St. Marys' newest supermarket, Flash's Foodstuffs.

Operated by Olympic cycling legend Flash Wheeler, the supermarket should be completed later this year and will be the only store in Australia to feature banked aisles. Not only will these permit rapid movement around the store but, if your trolley has a wobbly wheel, you just steer it toward a bank for easier control.

Let's see Aldi top that!

Mr Wheeler also plans after-school trolley races around the store to encourage children to become more involved in shopping. Prizes will be awarded for the fastest lap with a loaded trolley and the fastest lap with the least number of crashes.

Older customers are advised to wear shin pads.