Simon that is a good post.
However, the small mart I was referring to is actually quite expensive, and I would be surprised if the local Carrefours did not have the said wine cheaper. As we all know, Safeway is cheaper than 7-11, but does not have the store hours or the convenience to local dwellers that the small shop can offer.
They run 24 hours, so their employment costs may well be higher, and given it's prime position down-town, I bet the rent is very high.
Perhaps some are looking at OS prices and then saying "oh, we need to add shipping ,WET, storage, rental, insurance, profit margin etc etc to that" and forget that the quoted prices
already contain those expenses for the local retailer.
I mentioned this last year, in March I was in CNDP and went to Pegau's little store in town, the one with the old spanish guy, and purchased 2010 Pegau at 23 euro a bottle. I guess expenses are minimal for this outlet, which is simply a bit of an underground warehouse on the main street, but they still pay the required tax (I think this is also 17.5% in France). The same wine, at exactly the same time, was advertised at $150 in Melbourne, which is
five times the price (also purchased a double magnum of Cuvee de Capo 2010 for the equivalent of $800
)
Anyway, I guess that is why not many people drink imported wines in Australia!!!!!!
