RT-Mart, following a series of ownership changes over the years, is gone. In its place is . . . Da Chuan Lian? The photo, taken this evening, is from Taipei City’s Bade Road location:
What do forumosans think of this change? Is this a lamentable loss, or a bright new beginning?
Guy
I think I only went to an RT-Mart once - nothing against them, I’ve just never lived near one.
My main reaction, to be honest, is fear that soon Carrefour will be gone too (dunno what’s going on with their ownership), and the only “normal” grocery stores we have will be Quanlian / PXMart.
Was bought by the President group (Starbucks, Mr. donut, 7-11….)
Been gone for a while now, don’t we have a discussion on it in another thread? Or am I thinking of Reddit?
Anyway, lamentable loss. It wasn’t anything fantastic but it did bring competition and ocassionally had some good imported stuff that didn’t sell well and ended up being heavily discounted!
I rarely went to the old standard PX Mart as I always found them to be over priced and the restrictions on credit cards a joke. Prices in what was my local RT Mart have sky rocketed for many products now that it’s become a Mega PX. They’ve recently introduced the same credit card restrictions, even a MEGA bank debit card is no longer accepted. I’ve stopped buying most things from it even though it is super convenient to me.
Secondary fall out from the merger is that Carrefour have now also increased their prices on some items, pretty much price match PX now.
Will definitely be buying more online, at local fruit/veg marts and Costco going forward.
The one in Kaohsiung had terrible parking, bad location, annoying staff, and mediocre product selection. I saw no reason to visit, compared to Costco and Carrefour.
I got this mixed up with PX Mart for a second and my heart skipped a beat.
Well, I guess the free market is clearing its throat. I recognize the sign but don’t have strong associations with it. I still miss Jason’s (Mia C’Bon or whatever, was a poor replacement).
That’s because PX (which acquired RT) has tried to harmonize their brands.
The “free market” as you put it is clearly getting concentrated among fewer and fewer players.
Guy
It’s not how I “put it.” It just is. If you have an issue with the free market I don’t know what to tell you. Companies are allowed to buy out and absorb other companies. I don’t think that means PX is suddenly a monopoly. From all accounts, it doesn’t seem like RT did much to distinguish itself from its competitors and probably won’t be heavily mourned once it’s gone.
As a Canadian, I can assure you that market concentration among a few players (in the grocery business, in this case) does not lead to good outcomes for consumers. It’s great though for the emerging duopoly.
And yes I get the point that RT-Mart in its previous form was not exactly the most beloved shop among forumosans. It’s disappearance into the PX Mart empire however signals part of a larger trend, including the loss of the original Carrefour as it was swallowed by Uni-President (which also, btw, now controls the lost Jason’s-cum-Mia Whatever that Thing is Called Now).
Guy
I’ll have to see if they are still selling those, “I’m against everything!” tshirts when we go today.
It’s not good, it’s now a duopoly in Taiwan for supermarkets. Groceries in Taiwan are already expensive . This also allows them to push consumers into their select payment apps.
I haven’t been since the ownership change. I strongly preferred the local RT (mostly for the meat and baked goods) to the Carrefour (which just seems, um, challenged), and I imagine it’s still far superior. Will check it out soon. Sadly both stores have wound down their imports selection and the Carrefour also notably has less discounts after the Uni takeover.
Is that the Mia C’bon place?
First wellcome now RT mart. Neither was amazing but nice to have some choice.
I use px mart less and less now. Cant abide by their bullshit card rules.
I shop at pretty much 90% Carrefour now. And as there is a traditional market and fruit and veg shops right outside i buy most fruit and veg there. Its dramatically cheaper. Im happy about that. Supermarkets tomato price is insane.
Yeah supermarket fruit and veg prices are wayyyy high. And they pretty much never have discounts.
The strategy of removing competition has been going on a long time, Matsusei, Welcome ,Jasons, RT mart… Are there still City Super ?
What’s left a few Geant here and there?
Local no name supermarkets?.I don’t really include Costco as direct competition for them either.
And even Carrefour is completely dominated by PX Mart at this stage in terms of neighbourhood supermarkets.
What we may need is an AI big box warehouse hub which just orders the best offer and amalagmates it and ships it to you regardless of supermarket.
I’ve been fairly happy with one of these for basics, including some vegetables. Haven’t been to a PX mart in years, but that streak is probably coming to an end as places like carrefour and the old RT stopped carrying things like capers, or at least decent capers.
You summarised it perfectly! I would also add that they significantly reduced their variety of diary/veggies/other fresh products to have more clothes/electrodomestic and other crap that people go buy at other stores or online. On top of that, they took away the NEW self checkout machines that had an English language setting. Totally brainless behaviour.
I don’t think I’ve ever been to an RT Mart; do they even have them in Taoyuan?
As mentioned by @RickRooney I usually only go to Carrefour and my local traditional market. Surprisingly, a PX mart near me continued to sell Ben & Jerry’s throughout last winter 
so they get a thumbs up from me.
There was an RT-Mart in Chung Li … was still there when we visited family a couple years ago. Usually carried some things Carrefour didn’t, and was good for booze.
Oui. Or is it SÌ. 
Guy
