Consumer Confidence

Fresh bread anyone. The carts people create are amazing. The yellow one is an icecream bicycle. They are plentiful, but not a big fan of the icecream in general here. I don't think it has any milk.

Shopping in Peru is a completely other experience. It takes a very different mindset and for that matter skill set. It is amazing how many things we learn from our culture that we really pay little attention to.....until it's not there.

Chicken by the Kilo anyone? These scales are used to weigh your products. Check carefully!

For one....brands. I have never been one to buy something because of who makes it, especially in clothing or something to do with fashion. In general food has been about quality/value/price. I am also as many know....a bargain shopper. I love a good deal. Hopefully something I needed and would have bought anyway, but for a better price. Such a great feeling!

I have also been a huge Costco fan. Somewhat for their food, but often for their other products and clothing. I like that they have high quality items at a reasonable price. They don't do the walmart...cheap goods cheaper.

Walking "Miami" with Dad and my woven shopping bag.

It's an interesting game. How to find an item you need that is of good quality. Meaning, it will last, it is ecological, do you need it. So shopping in Peru has been a whole other world. In Ilo when I was first there I had no idea where to go. I heard about this "feria" which means fair. But, didn't know what it meant. It was only on Mondays and that was the place to get food for the week. So the first time I went with Richard's mom to show me the ropes.

Then slowly it became easier. I didn't get confused about where I was in the market or what I wanted to buy and could do it all in an hour. I would walk about 15 min up the hill from our house and then take a taxi home (as it is heavy to carry all that food and has given me tendonitis in my shoulder more than once). I try to find what I like at a consistent place, which means you have to remember where you found it. Also, nothing has prices. So you have to know a reasonable price for something and how much of it you want. As Americans a kilo really has little meaning. What is a kilo of apples? So, I have also had to learn an intuitive sense of how much something weighs. It's amazing how much you know that you don't think about or have to ponder the calculation. A gallon of juice, a quart of sour cream (which is not to be found here), a pound of potatos etc. These open-air markets are a flurry of activity. People walking around selling trash bags, pens, ant killer and more. There are stalls and stalls of food and then you get to Miami. No, not in Florida. Miami is what they call the miles of stalls where they sell second hand goods. These are things that come from the US as seconds. Clothing, toys, house stuff and on and on. Found some good cheap German knives with Dad.

fruits and fresh cheese (the white round things)

So, anyway the good thing is that it's mostly all fresh from the farm, dirt and all. I even found a place that sells farm-raised, free-range chicken! I am not a fan of buying meat hanging out in the open. I just can't do it. I know it's less expensive and everyone does it, but I like mine in plastic under glass. So, I did find a place that will sell things somewhat packaged. So the only meat I buy at the market is the chicken and we've had no issues. Organic is best! We can also sometimes get organic farm fresh eggs. They are very different in color. The yolk is almost orange.

The prices are astounding as well and you can eat well and fairly inexpensively if you shop this way. I have also had to learn what a ripe papaya looks like and such and how to clean all these fresh fruits and vegetables. It's not something I paid a lot of attention to before. Just rinse and it's good enough to go. In Ilo the water is not potable. So then I wonder, well I wash it, but is it clean? So, I added a small amount of bleach to a big bin of water and soak them. It's a long processed to get the fruits and veggies in suitable condition, but...worth it I think.

Anyway, back to the topic. So, there is no grocery store. However, there are a few "mini-markets" that actually have small, shopping carts and a couple of aisles in the store so it makes you feel like you're shopping in a grocery store. This is where you find the imported goods. You never know what you'll find or if you'll find it again. It can range from Kraft macncheese to Betty Crocker muffin mix, pringles, bbq sauce etc. It's not a large quanity but a few things. This is where it is curious to me. It makes me happy to find a brand I know. Something familiar. I have even found packets of wheat quesadillas. It is funny because when I make or use one of these products Richard's family asks...where did you find that, or what is it?

They don't have the brand familiarity or know what it is often or how to use it. I rejoice in these finds. However, sparingly purchase as the prices are horrendous, at least double normal price and in comparison to the whole foods and our budget. It can add up quickly. So only certain items for certain reason. Nonetheless, I like seeing them and knowing they are there. The other day here in Tacna I found lemon juice in a bottle and had to buy it. Lemons can't be found here either, just lime in the plenty. Sometimes you just need the right sour!

I think the other interesting thing here is marketing. In general there is less marketing for products on TV. I don't watch a lot of local TV, but what I have seen there is limited Ads for goods. A few products or things, but not everything. I don't think I've seen any marketing to kids products etc. So, I think this is a plus. However, all my good tv watching years have soaked into my brain and I am happy to see Heintz ketchup. I wouldn't think twice about it in the states, but here it is a gold treasure. I think part of it is also taste. We grow up with familiar tastes and when it's not the same.....it's not the same. Tastes also bring comfort.

Here in Tacna it's intersting. There are a few of these mini-markets and they have some things they don't have in Ilo, like blue cheese and I saw a can of diet dr. pepper. However, I miss my stores in Ilo. They have a better selection. I know where to get just the things I want there and don't have to search all over. However, the big news in Tacna is........Plaza Vea Complex.

This month they are to break ground on a supermarket called Plaza Vea, sort of like Fred Meyers, and also a multiplex cinema (Richard of course is elated) and a food court. So, Tacna is becoming a real town. There will be options and it is being built with-in walking distance of our house. So...they say they'll finish in 5-6 months, we'll see but it is progress. The western world touching another corner of the globe.

I won't be touching the food court. They often have pizza hut and such, but the taste and the quality is gross and the price is absurd, but the cinema....I'm up for that anytime. When you know the difference in taste, it's hard to accept second best. There isn't a lot to do here, so checking out the big screen is a great option. Currently, we'd have to go to Arica, Chile or 5 hours to Arequipa, not really that convenient.

So, how is your brand loyalty these days?