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by coopsmoss 1782 days ago
It used to be the norm. Why did the "milk man industry" go under? Could it not compete with bulk buying milk once refrigeration became the norm?
3 comments

It was undercut by supermarkets. In the transitional years when milk float services were still around, they were the more expensive option.

Refrigeration makes sense as the underlying driver - freshness and locality became less important. Then the supermarkets didn't have the cost of the distribution network, and exercised more centralised buying power on the suppliers.

You're going to the supermarket or having the groceries delivered anyway, so at that point it's easier for most people to have control at purchase time over quantity and expiry dates etc.

Also the usual issues with delivering to apartments and other such living accommodation.

Also delivery by milkmen was ~2x more expensive.

My guess would be the rise of supermarkets. Newsagents, post offices, grocers, sweet shops I suspect have been decimated by supermarkets and more people with cars to get to them.