19th Jun 09
Why the Number of Tesco Stores Around the UK is a Good Thing
by Adam Dunning
Tesco is the largest retailer in Britain with over 2100 stores and it seems like this number is rapidly expanding every month with more stores opening across the country. Just last week while out driving I saw a billboard advertising a new store opening that week, while 3 miles up the road land was being cleared to commence building another huge Tesco Extra store. Their stores come in many guises, from the large, warehouse-like Extra stores to the smaller Tesco Metro stores found within city centre streets for convenience shopping.
Tesco are the UK’s evil empire
There has been a backlash against Tesco’s continued expansion and campaigns have been fought in towns such as Stourport in opposition to the proposed building of new stores. This breed of superstores has also been largely blamed for being responsible for the demise of local small businesses that are unable to compete. I would like to express my reasons for believing that the number of Tesco stores in the UK is actually a good thing.
The number of non-food items available across Tesco Extra and Homeplus stores means that shopping at Tesco is as convenient as internet shopping. A busy working mum could effectively, in one visit, pick up her weekly groceries, clothing for herself, toys for the kids and a bottle of wine to relax with of an evening while watching the DVD she absent-mindedly added to her trolley. Meanwhile, her husband (there to lend a hand?) has wandered off to peruse the large selection of cut-price, big brand electrical items on display. This overwhelming range of products does often mean that shoppers purchase much more than intended, as I have often found to the detriment of my bank balance.
This is the default setting for a man at Tesco
Tesco’s commitment to provide an expanse of product goes hand in hand with their varied price points across their products. The purse-friendly Tesco Value range provides basic everyday products at low prices whereas their Finest range offers cream of the crop luxury within foodstuffs and home furnishings. They have also recently added a new range of discount brands which should be ripe for success given the current economic climate.
Tired out from all that shopping? Why not treat yourself to a nice cup of coffee and a cake from the in-store cafes found in most of the Tesco Extra stores. While you’re there you could skim the Clubcard deals brochure. After all, Tesco’s Clubcard scheme rewards you for your custom with one point for every pound spent. Points are then redeemable in money off in-store or you can choose from an array of Clubcard deals from days out to transatlantic holidays (if you are a REALLY good customer!!).
Have you got a clubcard?
Tesco has also shown a commitment to cater for the lifestyle choices and cultures of Britons today. I have seen jars of Halal baby food on Tesco shelves, obviously aimed at providing the same convenience to Muslim mothers as non-Muslim parents have enjoyed for many years, without compromising their religious beliefs. They also have a wide range of organic food, meeting the high demand for food free from pesticides and genetic modification, while customers with food intolerances benefit from a range of ‘free from’ produce and products. This promotes an inclusive policy within Tesco stores – the belief that everybody is welcome and everybody’s needs will be met. What’s more the healthy living range and traffic light signposting on their packaging shows a dedication to assisting customers to make healthy choices. Customers following the Weight Watchers Points Plan are also supported by point values being prominently displayed on their food products.
Moving on to communities, the employment opportunities offered by the 280,000 plus stores across Britain cannot be ignored. In fact, it must come as no surprise that Tesco is actually the biggest private sector employer in the UK. The question is – are they actually a good company to work for or is their workforce just an unhappy army of millions? Well, it would appear that the former is the most accurate. They have a commitment to providing opportunities for in-house promotion; from their management training program to funding the further education of staff. Mothers benefit from incentives such as childcare vouchers and flexible working hours. Staff can also benefit from share schemes – Save as You Earn and Buy as You Earn – offering share purchase at greatly reduced prices.
Tesco have displayed a commitment to acting responsibly within the communities that their stores inhabit. In terms of employment this means ensuring that local people are employed within their stores. Partnerships are common with local enterprises to support the employment of minority groups, as was the case when their store opened in Burnage, Manchester employing 80 long-term unemployed locals.
The corporate social conscience even extends to climate change. Tesco have started a programme of displaying the carbon footprint of individual products to assist customers in making socially responsible purchases. In addition, the company also publishes its own carbon footprint and aims to reduce this year by year.
Shoppers at Tesco are encouraged to be environmentally friendly. ‘Green’ Clubcard points are awarded for the reuse of plastic bags or the use of non-plastic bags. Tesco have a variety of these available for purchase. My personal favourites are the Cath Kidston designed variety. Nobody said that environmentally friendly has to disadvantage style!
Be green and funky, not green and smelly!
There are, of course, valid points made by Tesco’s critics. Local businesses are struggling as the ease of having all products under one roof means customers are not necessarily shopping locally. Tesco does not offer the same warm reception and enquiries after your mum/granddad/dog that you may receive in the family-run butcher shop on the High Street. However if, like me, you require convenient shopping when there just aren’t enough hours in the day, while requiring your retailer of choice to have a social conscience and an ability to meet your specific grocery needs, then Tesco ticks all of your boxes. It is kind to your purse, waistline, community and environment!
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