Supermarkets in Shetland - prices, ethics and experiences

[JAStewart]

Rasmie,

 

I totally understand your opinion of Tesco and supermarkets, and respect your desire to protect local businesses in Shetland, however, if the Tesco critics are correct, and Tesco won't be any cheaper than Somerfield or Co-op, won't the system just be the same as it is/was with the two supermarkets?

 

To shorten what I'm trying to say; if Tesco isn't going to be any cheaper, why will the impact on local businesses be any larger?

[Salmon]

I did my shopping between both supermarkets and my local shop.

 

After Tesco opens I will do the same.

 

But as a member of my household is employed by Tesco we will be slightly better off, because the "evil" Tesco pays a pound more an hour than Sommerfield did.

 

I am getting really fed up with the "retailers association" protecting their own asses.

 

Instead of trying to stop new businesses, they should be lobbying the council to reduce their exhorbatant rates .. which is why their prices are so high on the street.

 

 

We had the same carry on with Boots and Hodge, so I for one am very bored with the same old scaremongering

 

Lass, that post came from the heart and made a lot of sense.....nice one

[Guest Anonymous]

[Infiltrator]

You're missing the whole point about Tesco's strategy when they open up in a new location.

They will be cheaper than all local opposition, until that opposition is crushed.

It is possible that the Co-op can survive the price war, in which case the status quo of two supermarkets will be maintained, and prices will settle back to what they currently are. If the Co-op doesn't survive then Tesco can charge what they like. And 'what they like' is profit, hence higher prices.

But can other retailers survive a supermarket price war?

 

Ramsie, maybe you've got your evidence into this but my personal experience is different to yours.

 

Tesco opened a new store in Ellon last year and the prices there are the same as the prices at their Inverurie and Aberdeen stores. There is an existing Somerfield in Ellon which is still trading. If you shop online with Tesco the prices online are the same as they are in the stores.

I'm not pro Tesco, as I've said before on this thread, but I do believe in folk being given the freedom to shop where they want and make their own choices.

 

We shop between Asda, Tesco and a local Coop, wherever is most convient.

[MuckleJoannie]

they should be lobbying the council to reduce their exhorbatant rates .. which is why their prices are so high on the street.

 

The SIC have no direct influence on business rates. The Scottish Government sets a rate which is charged on a value assessed by the Scottish assessors.

[trumptonriots]

they should be lobbying the council to reduce their exhorbatant rates .. which is why their prices are so high on the street.

 

The SIC have no direct influence on business rates. The Scottish Government sets a rate which is charged on a value assessed by the Scottish assessors.

 

 

Yes correct, it's the SNP that set the rates. Since getting into power they've reduced small business rates by 80%. I think the plan next year is to get rid of them altogether for small businesses.

 

I'm pretty sure Tesco don't fit into the small business category, so the high rates excuse is no longer a valid excuse for not being competitive.

[Fjool]

Although Tesco are reputedly one of the biggest tax avoiders in the UK, finding it cheaper to employ people to discover loopholes than to pay the tax due.

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/may/31/tesco.supermarkets

[Guest posiedon]

Fjool

Although Tesco are reputedly one of the biggest tax avoiders in the UK, finding it cheaper to employ people to discover loopholes than to pay the tax due.

This is why (as someone said earlier) Tesco can pay £1 an hour more than Somerfield, it's our (tax payers) fecking money they are using to pay the wages!

[Guest Anonymous]

To prove that I can be wrong, as often I am,

I've removed a lot of comments I made which were far beyond the bounds of Shetlink acceptability, and which must have nearly given the mods a dose of the skitter.

Further, I'd like to say a special SORRY to Foords Chocolates for my attitude towards them.

At the time I made the comments, I was treating them as an individual poster, and not as a business. With hindsight, which is a great thing, I realise that the comments I made could be detrimental to them, and for that I am extremely sorry.

However, I will add, that my extreme, (and almost insane ) belief in the protection of Shetland, as it is today, largely revolves around the ideal that businesses like Foords Chocolates can come to an unspoilt haven like Shetland, be accepted and helped by the community, add to the community, (including their waistlines ), and prosper.

 

So, yun's aa dat da auld een's gyain ta say aboot it.

[tlady]

Heid a dram an chilled oot? ye auld burger . x

[Guest Anonymous]

Na, just hed a brawly guid cuddle o my peerie Norskie Trowie.

Dat's far mair fun dan a dram, an a damn site mair laekly ta chill oot an auld decrepit sausage laek me.

[tlady]

guid on dee ...

 

shame she's no around more often

[smaadrink]

I was so flabbergasted at being offered money.

 

 

 

 

 

Well I have been truly and utterly “flabbergasted†this week. I see a portion of my posting to Shetlink in the Hallowed pages of the Shetland Times.

 

I had to have a sit down…while looking furtively at my family to make sure no one guessed it was me as they discussed it. The fact that I had been on the street that day also came up, I’m safe, it would never enter their heads that I might post on Shetlink.

 

Shhhh Secret Squirrel…

[Styumpie]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/06/22/cntesco122.xml

 

Exposed: Tesco poses as 'local' trader

[MJ]

It seems the coop staff can't wait for the new tesco's, apparently talking about how much more they're going to be paid, is a better idea than actually serving customers. Ooh they're going to have a shock if they start working for a real manager. Tesco's really wouldn't stand for the mess our co-op's in (mind you neither would Co-op south)