OT : Tescos

I happened to wander into a Tesco Extra (their biggest size of store)
this afternoon. The shop [1] has grown in size considerably since I last
used it a long while back. I have to say that I am more convinced than
ever that Tescos are planning to put just about everyone out of
business.

The range of stuff was quite amazing and I got suckered in just as much
as the next person. Even though I was only really there for some food
shopping I ended up buying some non food items as well and spent far
more than I expected. I could quite happily have spent a load more money
on other things too.

The thing that was particularly obvious was how well they obviously know
their customers. The range of food and ingredients was very specifically
tailored to reflect the ethnic mix of shoppers with goods that you would
not normally get in a standard supermarket. It's no wonder they are
doing so well if it is all so well planned and researched.

So should we be scared of Tescos and their dominance or should we be
happy that they exist? If the former what could practically be done to
get them under control?

[1] Lea Valley - which darsy will know.

 

On Fri, 23 Sep 2005 19:20:44 +0100, Paul Corfield

The big three have been spending *huge* sums of money on R&D for
years. When you walk into their store they know more about your
shopping habits than you do.

 

of course, and *so* handy for Ikea too!

To be a bit trite, although I agree with you that Tesco seem to be
going for gold, I'll be happy enough to see them crush Sainsburys under
foot, if they can.

And whilst I agree with you about the range of ethnic stuff available,
they've still a way to go to match the variety of stuff available
online.

 

<Snip Tescos bit>

Recent documentary for Tesco showed that they are aiming to be the
"All-in-one" shopping experience in the UK.

They are trying to stock virtually everything that a consumer requires and
then some.

In any case, what you spend your money on is stored via their Tesco card
database and targets the future "Offers" sent in to your home with items
more specific to your habits. Sometimes there are some extra ideas thrown in
to tempt you into spending on items not usualy on your regular list.

Impulse buying and placement of the correct products at "eye" level also
increases brand awareness, but then they all do that.

I prefer to shop when I need to at Morrisons. Just seems a much nicer place
to me.


--



Robbo
Trophy 1200 1998
BotaFOF #19. E.O.S.M 2001/2002/2003/2004/2005
B.O.S.M 2003, 2004, 2005
FURSWB#1 KotL..YTC449
PM#7
..

 

The OFT dropped a bollock in a big way with Tescos recently. The
competition commission have effectively stopped the big chains buying
any of the other big chains, what they didn't do was stop a big chain
buying up all the local 'symbol' stores - so Tesco have some stupid
proportion of the 'corner shop' market these days. Unfortunately,
there's no way back now.

 

It's posts like that, that help remind me why I love you so much.

 

You mean the way they identify the branded goods I buy, then replace
them with their crap own-label versions which bear little resemblance
to the original? Maybe they are trying to tell me something.

 

Tesco 'Pikey' digestive biscuits are far superior to McVities,
which taste like chipboard since they changed the recipe.

 

The thing that was particularly obvious was how well they obviously know

You think treatment of *their* suppliers is inhuman,
You want to see how the beans, cabbages and ground crop for Marks & Spencer
get picked.

Toilets?
Yeah, anywhere the Latvian pickers want to go.

Hygiene?
Of course they pick the produce with the other hand that they didn't wipe
their fanny/cock/arse with.


--



Robbo
Trophy 1200 1998
BotaFOF #19. E.O.S.M 2001/2002/2003/2004/2005
B.O.S.M 2003, 2004, 2005
FURSWB#1 KotL..YTC449
PM#7
..

 

The Tesco meat is very poor. Thankfully I still have a traditional
butcher in the town.

 

I did pop in to Ikea but that is my first visit since the place opened.
Better than Brent Park but that's not saying a great deal.

Why out of curiosity?

Or from a half decent Chinese or Indian supermarket. It was the first
big supermarket that I've noticed making such an effort to "attract"
ethnic purchases alongside all the usual stuff we have to buy.

 

Sorry you've got me there. <puzzled>

 

Theya are far from alone in this. If you want, I'll relate the story of
Sainsbury and how they were forced to back down in their displays of PL
goods.

 

I am struggling to disagree. I suppose they cannot bugger-up the booze,
but that's about it.

 

You need help !! " Morrisons" ??

Northern Girl
Who's gone South , just been to get wine , where you get a glass before you
buy.
And yes I am in France
Wavy Dave where are you ? I'm just South East of Rennes.

 

I say hats off to any store that puts painkillers on strips with the
beers, wines and spirits. It makes it easier whether you're trying to
off yourself or just cure the hangover. Everyone's a winner.

 

Well, I've yet to get my favourite dried squid from Tescos, or any other
supermarket.

 

I was a bit confused too. You're either being subtly insulted or
blatantly patronised.

Oooh, decisions.

 

Oh, orlright.

A few years ago Sainsbury decided to plug its own Cola over Coca-Cola
and Virgin Cola, which it shoved down on lower shelves, in smaller runs.
Curiously, the design of Sainsbury's bottle wasn't far different from
Coke's.

Coke kicked up a stink and Sainsbury backed down.

There's a reference here

http://www.iprights.com/publications/articles/article07.asp?articleID=7

What was interesting was the widespread industry rumour at the time,
that some very big manufacturers, including Cadbury Schweppes, Unilever
and Nestle, all pissed off with having their packs more or less copied,
threatened that they'd ally with Coke and launch a helluva lawsuit.

 

Probably the former.