Star Comment: Big stores suffering cold feet

It is the ability to predict the future. They can see the direction of the trends, and plan accordingly, only to have their fingers badly burned when things do not turn out as expected.

Only a little while ago the clever money would have gone on the big supermarkets ruling the commercial roost for years to come. They could do no wrong and, it seemed, were in a battle among themselves to see who could have the most, and biggest, stores. Once, say, Tesco had moved to a town, Sainsbury's made its plans to move in as well, followed by others. Everybody wanted a slice of the action, a bit like Victorian railway mania, or the techno-bubble of the 1990s.

The way things have turned out, one is reminded of the way dinosaurs are said to have been made extinct by small mammals (according to one theory). As the big players strutted about, the smaller fry, the Aldis and Lidls, were nibbling away.

What has happened in Oswestry hints at the profound change that has taken place. Morrisons has been lined up to build a store on the old livestock market site. The overall plan is for a multiplex cinema and restaurants, and Morrisons is a key piece in the jigsaw.

But Morrisons is suddenly hesitating. Planning permission has been given for a new Aldi on a neighbouring plot. In the bullish old days that would have been a minor irritation. Now it is something which is making Morrisons have a deep think. Apart from the Aldi intruder, Morrisons wants to see how things stand with Cineworld.

It is not as if there are not already supermarkets in Oswestry – including a town centre Morrisons. Has it reached the superstore saturation point?

It is all bad news for the town council, the freehold owner of the cattle market. You can hardly plan for the future based on uncertainties.

Over in Newport, a town which has been through a supermarket saga too involved for us to have space to reprise here, a new Aldi is taking shape and is expected to open in August.

Meanwhile Marks & Spencer, which has had its troubles, has posted its first annual profits increase in four years.

It's all swings and roundabouts – albeit on a merry-go-round riding on a rollercoaster.