Tesco - the supermarket that's eating Britain

I don't think anyone is remotely saying that Tesco is the sole problem here. But they are certainly a HUGE part of it.

I do however, disagree that people don't want to be butchers or bakers or fishmongers anymore. Frankly, I think a lot of people just aren't aware that these options are open to them - or should be open to them. It's another example of the education system failing. God forbid kids do trade courses or anything like that.

But it is shocking the lack of small, specialist shops. I live in Exeter - essentialy a coastal location (just up the river from the coast) and there is ONE fishmonger in the city. There are, however, 2 butchers within walking distance.

And, FWIW, I did know a butcher. Our last house was in a village with a great local butcher and while I didn't socialize with him or his family, we always had a good chat when I went into the shop. They clearly loved what they were doing.

There is a butcher in our village and at least two others in the city centre, plus two fishmongers.  This is not counting the ones that come to the Farmer's Market.  In fact I have not noticed a shortage of butchers anywhere in the UK but greengrocers are increasingly hard to find.

There is a butcher in our village and at least two others in the city centre, plus two fishmongers.  This is not counting the ones that come to the Farmer's Market.  In fact I have not noticed a shortage of butchers anywhere in the UK but greengrocers are increasingly hard to find.

Maybe it's a regional thing because we have no shortage of greengrocers! There are a couple of butchers, one good baker, and only one fishmonger I can think of.

Hmmn, maybe! But when we lived in Canterbury there was no greengrocer there (although there was an Asian shop that sold some fruit & veg) and there isn't one where my parents are in Berkshire either. 

Now what I really want is a CHEESE shop!!!

Now what I really want is a CHEESE shop!!!

Aaaah, we have a fantabulous deli that specialises in Welsh and Spanish cheeses. It's heaven. It's a 30-minute drive, but oh-so-worth it.

we have three butchers, two bakeries and three green grocers in our parade (10 min walk end-to-end).  But they aren't open at convenient hours. 

I have to say though, I love going to the parade on Saturday mornings.  Everyone is there and all the shops are hopping!  I do all my visiting on Saturday mornings.  One of the bakeries makes the BEST bread and supplies our favourite pub (and others).  We do have a great community for that.  But it's an aged community so most of it caters to OAPs and therefore the hours reflect that.   

The irony is that we had an iceland and a co-op on the parade and both closed down.  We now have an M&S Food so we'll see how that does.  I can really do most of my shopping in my village as we also have a stationers, computer store, several travel agents, Boots and betting shops and several pubs.  No cheese shop though.  There are quite a few shops closing but they are turning over as soon as they're empty. 

Hiya,

Alot of viewpoints on this and everyone is of course entitled to thier opinion!

I'd just like to point out

1. The UK when it comes to choice is 'limited' - as I've mentioned before, many suppliers don't even bother with the UK market. Although Tesco deals with 'food' you can bet your bottom pound/dollar (haha) that they only provide what 'sells' - why waste time offering something/product which isn't going to sell in large quantities for them? - choice therefore is 'limited' - on top of that, the UK culture also is used to having less choice in many product markets. Until more and more people want or demand more choice, it isn't going to change.

2. Any large company will get 'flak' - but the smaller competitors are probably doing the same or slightly different tactics in order to compete - what happens when people find out sainsburys or somerfield etc are doing 'xyz' as well ? will they stop shopping there too?

3. Convenience - 'alot' of customers (like me) simply walk in, pickup whats needed, pay and walk out. I like I can do that at 130 am - it gives me a chance to do more important stuff and I know that if I need something later I can get it easily. tesco's as far as I know are the only chain who even offer this in some stores - if other's do it, great, I can go there too!

On the whole, the 'UK' needs to realise that in order to stay up in the G8 some things need to change and improve, with the advent of global business, innovation is key to the UK's future - and unfortunatley, currently 'innovation' isn't a word immediatley synonomous (sp?) with UK business people.

Cheers! DtM! West London and Slough! yep where that giant sized Tesco is !

When it comes to prices paid to farmers, there is no doubt that all the big supermarkets, with the exeption of Waitrose, don't pay fairly. Tesco has the biggest share of the market, therefore the biggest amount of flack thrown at it. As has been stated in this thread already. I have no doubt Sainsburys and Somerfield leave much to be desired. But not on the scale of Tesco. So because they are all 'bad' to some degree, should I shrug my shoulders and say, 'oh well'? I should hope not.

And don't get me wrong, I don't view this as a UK only issue. It's even worse in the US I'm sure though maybe not with grocery stores as I think there they are more regional.

When it comes to prices paid to farmers, there is no doubt that all the big supermarkets, with the exeption of Waitrose, don't pay fairly.

I was kind of disappointed that the Dispatches program didn't focus on this at all. I did catch a program on BBC1 last week, however, who explored this from the farmer's point of view, and it was very interesting and alarming. A number of the large supermarkets chains were mentioned in that expose.

I was kind of disappointed that the Dispatches program didn't focus on this at all. I did catch a program on BBC1 last week, however, who explored this from the farmer's point of view, and it was very interesting and alarming. A number of the large supermarkets chains were mentioned in that expose.

Some friends of mine are farmers - they grow tons of fruit & veg. In the past, they've supplied small greengrocers, village shops, etc. But the problem is that there aren't enough of these small shops anymore. So, in order to sell all their produce and stay afloat financially, they've just had to sign a big contract with Asda this year. Asda wants all of their produce, which means that now they can't supply the small shops that do still exist. It's a vicous circle, and a really difficult position for farmers to be in.

I've posted a separate link, for those interested, on the plight of dairy farmers:

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=31808.0

If I can find anything for fruit and veg growers, I'll post it, too.

Some friends of mine are farmers - they grow tons of fruit & veg. In the past, they've supplied small greengrocers, village shops, etc. But the problem is that there aren't enough of these small shops anymore. So, in order to sell all their produce and stay afloat financially, they've just had to sign a big contract with Asda this year. Asda wants all of their produce, which means that now they can't supply the small shops that do still exist. It's a vicous circle, and a really difficult position for farmers to be in.

Gosh....that is soo wrong!    Like the small shops are going to put a huge dent in Asda's sales.

Well, as I said, it's not just Tesco.

Here comes Asda: http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,2018157,00.html

In particular, I refer to the bit about possibly taking on more high street convenience store type shops. But then again, this is WalMart...