tesco questionable marketing

[bennyboy]

Nope, my job isn't affected by the rise of the supermarkets and neither is the OH's... However, I work long hours usually and so does she. I only have a half-hour break in the day, and she works in the middle of nowhere so shopping during the day isn't possible. We both have horses which consumes an extraordinary amount of time, both in the evenings and at weekends. Neither of us has the time to go to 5 or 6 shops to buy what we can in one half-hour trip to a supermarket. Our lifestyle also dictates that we can't buy too much fresh food either as we never know when we'll be in the house from one day to the next.

Yes, if this were 20 years ago and she wasn't working then I'm sure she'd be shopping at markets and independent shops during the daytime but society has changed since those days.

Whether you like it or not, supermarkets are fulfilling a requirement that obviously existed or their growth wouldn't have happened. Blame the change in roles and priorities within society if you like, but if people choose to use supermarkets over independent shops and the like then there's a reason behind it. If I had a successful business that could diversify and grow into other sectors I'd be doing it - wouldn't you? Market forces at work again...

All fair points, I agree that many folks do choose supermarkets and of course that's their choice. There are some times when I have to go there too, I just think that a lot of folks have forgotten that there is an alternative for them. In your situation perhaps not, but for many I reckon.

I speak from being in a town where I am slowly watching it die and no of course it is not all the fault of the big-bad supermarkets. I believe that supermarkets should have their place as everything else does, but I cannot think of another example of such monopolizing and greed.
But of course you are right, if others feel like I do they should talk with their feet so to speak. The supermarkets are only cashing in on how our society covets convenience above all else.

Anyway, I'm not out to offend, i hope you get my point as I get yours

 

[gradeAfailure]

The supermarkets are only cashing in on how our society covets convenience above all else.

Anyway, I'm not out to offend, i hope you get my point as I get yours

Of course...

I have to admit, we do use our local Co-op more than we use the big supermarkets, and if we are around the local fruit/veg/butchers and have the time to stop we do so.

However, in the current climate of job losses and a receding economy, independent retailers are going to have to justify their (usually but not always) higher prices with an increased level of service that the average person will feel is enough to tempt them away from convenience and lower prices. The general populace need a reason to use them, and at the moment there obviously isn't... Evolve to survive!

 

[barry2017]

Nope, my job isn't affected by the rise of the supermarkets and neither is the OH's... However, I work long hours usually and so does she. I only have a half-hour break in the day, and she works in the middle of nowhere so shopping during the day isn't possible. We both have horses which consumes an extraordinary amount of time, both in the evenings and at weekends. Neither of us has the time to go to 5 or 6 shops to buy what we can in one half-hour trip to a supermarket. Our lifestyle also dictates that we can't buy too much fresh food either as we never know when we'll be in the house from one day to the next.

I'm sorry if what I wrote came across as judgemental in any way. But you must understand it's much harder for the general population to be healthy if you eat processed food, and the environmental impact of the way much of it is produced and supplied is not sustainable and will have an effect on our children.

Besides which, eating and making good food together is such a pleasurable experience, why should you deny yourself?

Whether you like it or not, supermarkets are fulfilling a requirement that obviously existed or their growth wouldn't have happened. Blame the change in roles and priorities within society if you like, but if people choose to use supermarkets over independent shops and the like then there's a reason behind it. If I had a successful business that could diversify and grow into other sectors I'd be doing it - wouldn't you?

It's the nature of business to attempt to expand. It's the role of governments to make sure it doesn't have an effect on society, which is what we have failed to do in the case of the supermarkets.

Market forces at work again...

And look how well we're doing as a result of ten years of market forces!

 

[gradeAfailure]

Actually, I'd like to see less governmental intervention as opposed to more, but then I believe that a government should be there to see that the laws are upheld (including those regarding fair competition ), provide a basic standard of eduction for those that want one and little else. It is each individual's duty to educate themselves on matters which they deem important to them, and if certain sectors of society choose to shorten their lifespan through eating badly and so forth, then that is their choice as a free individual.

As soon as you start dictating to people what they can or cannot do, where they can or cannot shop, what they can or cannot buy, then that's a slippery slope towards socialism/communism that I would rather we didn't start down. People have to make their own decisions about what's right...

Can't tell I'm more right than left, can you?

 

[barry2017]

Actually, I'd like to see less governmental intervention as opposed to more, but then I believe that a government should be there to see that the laws are upheld (including those regarding fair competition ), provide a basic standard of eduction for those that want one and little else. It is each individual's duty to educate themselves on matters which they deem important to them, and if certain sectors of society choose to shorten their lifespan through eating badly and so forth, then that is their choice as a free individual.

Couldn't agree with you more, apart from the stuff about education. A basic education is something everyone would benefit from, and another area where we're letting our kids down. Without external education, you can't make a decision about the health implications of eating badly. Saying it's each individual's duty to educate themselves on matters they deem important requires a basic education to begin with. But that's another issue.

As soon as you start dictating to people what they can or cannot do, where they can or cannot shop, what they can or cannot buy, then that's a slippery slope towards socialism/communism that I would rather we didn't start down.

Survival of the fittest eventually means death of the weakest. In the case of the big supermarkets, that will eventually mean death of all non-supermarkets, and let's see them being convenient or good value then. It isn't a level playing field for the little guy now, without control there is a real danger they will become the only players in the food market.

People have to make their own decisions about what's right...

It's a very hollow argument if those decisions aren't informed ones. See above.

Can't tell I'm more right than left, can you?

I'm reminded of a quote attributed to Albert Einstein:

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"

 

[gradeAfailure]

Actually, I agree with you on the education as you can see in my post (the part about "for those that want one" is effectively a reference to the status quo - education is technically compulsory but those that really don't want to be educated are choosing to opt out by refusing to go to school anyway), but of course education doesn't just have to be in the form of schooling as we know it...

And I believe you're taking the Darwinian (mis)quote of "survival of the fittest" out of context as well - what was actually meant by the original theory was that it was those species that "fit" their environment that will survive, rather than those that are physically superior. Given the current societal environment, supermarkets do indeed currently "fit" better than smaller independent retailers, and so are proving to be the dominant species at the moment. If they push the independents to the point of extinction, you're right, they will potentially cease to be convenient or competitive, and thus a gap in the market will appear, which smaller companies can exploit once more - and so the cycle will begin again...

Re. the Einsten quote, I like my instructor's interpretation: "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got."

 

[Russell]

Brilliant.

I was a store Manager for the Co-op, the only difference between them and Tescos is that the Co-op go out of their way to market themselves as 'the caring alternative'. Really.. they're not, trust me.

The difference between 'ethical' and 'not ethical' retailers? Marketing and brand perception.

Suckers.

 

[barry2017]

I'm not talking abou education, it's a different issue to this. I haven't read what you have, so I'm not going to comment.

I wasn't talking about Darwinian theory at all. Where did that come from?
I'm talking about a couple of companies changing society for the worse and threatening the existence of future generations. Maybe you're right, things will balance out. Or possibly, we'll all die because we've poisoned our planet making easily available consumer goods. Still, at least for now you can buy runner beans in January. :roll:

I think we will have to agree to disagree on this one. For the record, I really hope you're right.

 

[Splatter Paint]

I'm guessing you've not explored Tesco for bike stuff then......

Tesco bar ends, 100g, 99p!

Tesco tyre, looks a bit like a Panaracer Smoke comes in folding £2.50

Weider Victory Endurace energy drinks powders, 900g of powder for £1.22

I bought Tesco innertubes too, but both popped along the seams as soon as they got to 40 psi! Common sense prevailed before I bought Value brake pads, you can't win them all.....


SP

 

[al]

Looks like the Co-op's standards have dropped!!


My driving Instructor was also the manager of our local Oxfam and he was one of the most racist people i have ever come across.

These two observations are in no way linked.

Al.