Tesco is taking over the world

[flashingnose]

They've just posted massive profits which mean they now account for £1 in every £3 that is spent in British supermarkets. Does anyone else think that's scary and rather obscene?

[swiperfox]

You'd think with all that money they'd run a decent clubcard scheme and make the computers for schools scheme a little less ridiculously unrealistic!!!!

[JoolsToo]

why is success obscene?

obviously people think they're getting a good deal from Tesco - I don't know whether they are or not but if people choose to shop that's their choice

[enigma]

Must say I hate their new advert with the guy with the faux regional accent trying to give it the 'common touch' and widen their appeal (but it comes across fake and patronising)

Btw - I've got a regional accent

[flashingnose]

I do think success achieved by screwing your suppliers is obscene, yes.

[louee]

i can't complain they pay my bills!!!!!!!!!

[SeaShells]

I like Tesco's, I get clubcard points for filling up the car there, their own brand stuff is good quality, I'm using my clubcard points to go to legoland for next to nothing!

Tesco is taking over the world! Good on them!

[Blackduck]

Try reading 'Shopped' if you don't think this is obscene - makes you want to never set foot in a supermarket every again.....

[SeaShells]

I'd say tesco is the best of a bad bunch though.

[swiperfox]

Have you ever seen the catalogues that the schools get for the 'computers for schools' scheme? The schools need hundreds of thousands of vouchers for a computer - at one voucher for £10 spent that is a ridiculous amount of money.

[Blackduck]

I'd argue its probably the worst - the more power it gets the more it can grind down its suppliers

[Toothache]

I think the statistic was £1 in every £8 according to the BBC this morning. They pay my bills too and they give their staff loads of free shares!! My DH is just about become a Manager for Tesco.

They're starting wage is terrible, but good if you go into management.

My gripe is that fact that they keep announcing record profits but the staff have to fight to get a 3% annual payrise!!!

I buy all my shopping there, we get a 10% discount which probably just brings it inline with Asda. But with 5p every litre of petrol it's been worth it for fuel. I think they've stopped doing that offer now though.

[flashingnose]

I think it's £1 in £8 spent in any retail outlet but will now scurry off to check.

[snafu]

I've just read 'Shopped' and agree - from the evidence presented in there at least - that Tesco is the worst at least as far as its suppliers are concerned. Can't say I would never set foot in a supermarket again - because after all where else is there to go when all the independent places have 'mysteriously' closed down? - but that book is a real eye-opener.

[Blackduck]

They are also trying to compulsory purchase my FILs business (well the land...) and have offered him a derisory sum of money.....
Re where else do you go? - I do see what you are saying, but are trying to follow her advice in as much as I try to put at least some of my custom elsewhere when ever possible

[flashingnose]

Quote from Sky News website:

[Gobbledigook]

Are Tesco 'screwing their suppliers'? I met someone the other day who assesses shops like Tesco, BHS, Matalan etc for ethical compliance and she says Tesco are fabulous - you can buy their cheapie clothes knowing they aren't using sweat shops anyway. Apparently BHS are horrendous and she wouldn't buy anything from there.

I think the clubcard scheme is quite good too - I got £42 in 'use on whatever you want' vouchers last quarter plus all the other vouchers for extra points.

[flashingnose]

GDG, read this book or this one - yes they really are.

[Toothache]

Flashingnose - Maybe not, but isn't everything about competitors? The management at Tesco are paid either better or just the same as the other supermarkets. I still think they should be offering more than a 3% payrise after announcing record profits. It's quite an insult when they are increasing their profits by 20%, but making the staff beg for 3% every year!

[snafu]

Blackduck wrt going elsewhere - me too, but it's not easy (especially if you don't have a car). But that's the point, isn't it?

[flashingnose]

Toothache - get your DH to work for John Lewis/Waitrose - now there's a retail outfit that does look after its staff.

[Blackduck]

ethical compliance and 'screwing your suppliers' are, I would argue, two different things. You can be ethical (no sweat shops) and STILL force down the price you pay the supplier - read Shopped, some of the practices described are appalling.....

[GeorginaA]

Have to say that it does worry me that there are now less alternatives if you want to shop elsewhere. The meat and veg at Sainsburys and Tesco really are poor in terms of quality and flavour, yet trying to find a good greengrocer or butcher now is hard work as they get pushed out of the market.

Managed to find a good butcher locally - it's more hassle to get there, but the difference in quality of meat is amazing.

[Toothache]

Easier said than done Flashingnose!! And thats only handy if you have a John lewis or Waitrose nearby, which we don't.

[flashingnose]

Sorry.

[Blackduck]

Flashingnose - whats 'Not on the Label' like - have been meaning to read it...