What is Tesco playing at?

[10ClarionSt]

Tesco have large stores near here at Rochdale, Oldham and Prestwich. They have just opened a new store in Middleton, where I live. They also have 2 other shops in Middleton. They now plan to open another 3 shops in Middleton. Just why they need 6 shops in a small town like this is beyond me. Who's trade are they trying to steal? Is this a deliberate attempt to eliminate the Asian shopkeepers? There is no other large competition in this town, so what's going on?

[factor-fiction]

They think they can make money.
And whatever we think of Tesco you've got to admit they generally run their business very well and make good decisions on these things.
I'm certain the ethnicity of shopkeepers did not influence their decision!

[factor-fiction]

>The local council have their pensions invested in Tesco shares..

I would have thought those employed by the council are on the national final salary pension scheme and therefore would have nothing to gain from any possible minor rise in share price resulting from the opening of a few stores.

Tesco like to dominate an area and will want to get in first to before ASDA etc move in

[craft1948]

Why would anyone want to go to Asda if there's a Tesco handy?

[NoMercy]

Or a Waitrose....

[Buenchico]

The current policy of the Local Government Association is to encourage the major supermarkets to open smaller local stores so that the benefits of their bulk-buying can be made available to everyone, rather than only to those who can afford to run their cars. Such a policy brings lower prices, fresher produce and wider ranges to the poorest families in local communities, as well as to many elderly people who can't get to the out-of-town superstores. That makes sense to me.

[Greedyfly]

World domination

[merciasounds]

I just can't stand Tesco's! Gimme Asda, Morrison's, Sainsbury's, Aldi, Co-op, but to me Tesco's never had the quality - perhaps things change, I don't need a lot from a supermarket, Fruit, milk occasionally, baking items i might run out of like dried fruit, or yeast etc Mixers like tonic and ginger ale, and the couple of times i've had to go to a Tesco's, i've always been disappointed

[Greedyfly]

Mercia I have to disagree. Tesco for me is far superior to the others listed and we have all in our town. Even their online ordering service is better than the others for me.

I guess we all have our faves though.

[sherminator]

Tescos is demonstratably more expensive than asda!!!
I have t shop at tesco as it is on the way home from work where as asda is 5 miles away but if i could it would be asda all the way! was very surprised at how much cheaper it was when i last did go to asda!

[Old_Geezer]

Probably if they saturate an area it makes the competition think twice about moving if too, even if they could get permission.

I'm in the fortunate position, at this point in my life, of being able to spend a little more for a pleasanter shopping experience: trouble is my local ones are Asda and Tesco. They aren't awful, but neither do they make one look forward to shopping there.

[redcrx]

"They've also blocked planning permision for Asda to open a store here!"
i would love to know how any company can do that? Competition is not a reason to refuse planning permission. Thats why many towns start with a unique shop idea, then everyone opens one and they all go bust.

[boxtops]

Since we have neither Asda, Sainbury's or Waitrose for miles here, I have the choice of Tesco, Morrison, Aldi, Netto, Farm Foods, Iceland or M&S. I go to Tesco for the big shop, making use of special offers, hardly ever buying at full price, then to top up I walk over to the others.

[craft1948]

I agree Asda is cheaper......that's because they sell cheap stuff. My friend works at Morrisons and shops at Tesco.
A Waitrose is opening soon so I'm going to give them a try next.

[Buenchico]

In answer to Redcrx's query regarding blocking planning permission:
Several large supermarkets have operated a policy of buying up land which could possibly be used by rival firms and then selling that land on (sometimes at a loss) but with a covenant imposed that it can never used for retail purposes. While that doesn't directly affect planning decisions by local authorities it effectively blocks other supermarkets from seeking planning permission in the first place.

Chris

[redcrx]

thanks chris, i know such underhand things can be done though hadnt seen it doen in practice.
I though the post was suggesting that the planning had been turned down because of something tesco may have said at permission stage.
I am not keen on tesco, Im sick of having to check dates on stuff