Supermarkets in Shetland - prices, ethics and experiences

[Guest Anonymous]

Regarding fresh fruit. For years Don Leslie was the best in town. Is that still the case?

[greenman]

not sure will check out d.l tomorrow, although it is no longer owned by d.l

[breeksy]

ianboy - the fact that Tesco (as well as other supermarkets) have unethical trading practices is not new. And (having worked in tandem with several) you may be surprised at just how little mark-up there is on some products being sold locally.

 

Just because the local shop can't buy it as cheap as the supermarkets can, and therefore have to sell at a higher price, does not make them guilty of 'daylight robbery'.

 

As ever, the customer can choose not to shop there.

 

I am not saying 'don't shop at Tesco' - nowhere will you find me even suggesting that. I will shop there myself, I have a family and limited funds. But I don't think an awareness of all the issues is a bad thing.

 

But then maybe thats just me!

[JustMe]

These pictures http://animalaid.org.uk/h/n/NEWS/pr_factory/ALL/1829// show the living conditions of chickens that were destined for a supplier that at one time supplied premium corn fed chickens to a Lerwick supermarket. Add to this the Tesco fiasco http://www.smartplanet.com/news/food/10001504/the-latest-on-hugh-fearnley-whittingstall-and-the-chickens-vs-tesco.htm

and I am seriously wondering if I can ever trust meat products from a supermarket again........Tesco or otherwise.

[MJ]

I was rather worried by the "premium" chicken brought home to me to cook from the co-op. It proudly announced that the chickens were fed on a vegetarian diet in sealed barns.

I was pretty sure chickens weren't designed to be vegetarian?

[JustMe]

I was rather worried by the "premium" chicken brought home to me to cook from the co-op. It proudly announced that the chickens were fed on a vegetarian diet in sealed barns.

I was pretty sure chickens weren't designed to be vegetarian?

 

Quick bit of research reveals that chickens in their natural state are indeed omnivorous although the vegetarian diet will do them no harm they were never designed to live in sealed barns but of course that is the only way to get them from chick to table in 6 weeks. Well the barn and the food additives.

[sassermaet]

We never buy battery hens / eggs. We always make sure they're free range.

 

The Co-op is pricey but a lot of their food tends to be fair trade, free range etc. so sometimes it's worth it.

[Salmon]

We never buy battery hens / eggs. We always make sure they're free range.

 

The Co-op is pricey but a lot of their food tends to be fair trade, free range etc. so sometimes it's worth it.

 

Don't think for one moment you are able to make sure the hens/eggs you purchase are free range, they may say they are .....but are you sure?

 

"Freedom Food - leading the way in farm animal welfare"....(dads dangly bits)

 

The way it works is some group of bright sparks create an assurance scheme and convince suppliers and retailers to enlist (suppliers invest cash to be included)

and then the scheme plays on the public with soul searching sad stories of beasts outside there scheme but and this is a big but how often do they recheck the accredited supplier....Daily, no...Weekly, no...Monthly, no...i'll tell you once a year to tick a few boxes and collect the next investment into the scheme.

 

You can sing a lullaby to the wee lamb before you cut it's throat while the inspectors are there but you know the inspectors won't be back again for another twelve months, business as usual.

[Salmon]

Last post is well off theme, sorry but guys never believe all you are told.....even from a FISH.

[sassermaet]

We never buy battery hens / eggs. We always make sure they're free range.

 

The Co-op is pricey but a lot of their food tends to be fair trade, free range etc. so sometimes it's worth it.

 

Don't think for one moment you are able to make sure the hens/eggs you purchase are free range, they may say they are .....but are you sure?

 

 

I've noticed free range also tastes better

[moorit]

I was rather worried by the "premium" chicken brought home to me to cook from the co-op. It proudly announced that the chickens were fed on a vegetarian diet in sealed barns.

I was pretty sure chickens weren't designed to be vegetarian?

 

Who cares ??? As Sassermaet says above, as long as it tastes ok.

[Guest posiedon]

Salmon

Don't think for one moment you are able to make sure the hens/eggs you purchase are free range, they may say they are .....but are you sure?

Yes I am sure, I get them from a friend and neighbor, two dozen chucks on 9 acres, I would say that's pretty "free range".

Back on topic.

Tesco will never get any custom from me, for reasons I've already stated on this thread. But I'll be glad when they open, cos then we can get our Co-op back to normality.

 

I've said it before, but I'll keep on saying it, "there is no such thing as cheap food" Somebody, somewhere is paying the price, it may be the farmers, the migrant workers, or the distributors, but you can bet your life it aint Tesco!

 

Do you think, if Tesco sells a tin of beans 10p cheaper than Asda, that Tesco is making 10p less than Asda on that tin of beans? Not on your nelly!

Tesco are paying 10p less to the producer, but making the same profit, you may think you're getting a bargain, but somebody, somewhere, is paying for it.

And when the producers go out of business because of Tesco's "business" practices, what then?

 

I await the lawsuits, because Teso can't be criticised, and lawsuits are what they do best Bring it on Tesco!What do you think will be their best offers in their opening week..................Alcohol? surely no? they wouldn't have the affront to generalize about Shetland folk like that..........................Would they?...............Wait and see.

[Infiltrator]

Lawsuit? LOL, you've watched too much American TV.

Do you honestly believe Tesco will take the slightest notice of a few anonymous comments on a forum as quiet as this one?

 

There's a number of folk on here who seem to feel very strongly about Tesco's arrival in Shetland. Will any of them actually do anything about it or (other than not shopping there )are they just keyboard warriors?

[Guest posiedon]

^^Didn't you read this, posted on page 13 of this thread by wilks? If not, you can read it now.

Tesco faces commerce backlash

Retail giant asked to drop lawsuits

 

By Yuttapong Kumnodnae

 

The chambers of commerce in the Northeast are opposed to multinational discount store chain Tesco Lotus' court action against its critics and will stop doing business with the company unless it drops the suits.

 

The move came after the UK-based retailer filed separate defamation lawsuits against three Thai critics through its Thailand representative, Ek-chai Distribution Company, for comments which the company claimed damaged its reputation and business.

 

In November, it sued journalist Kamol Kamoltrakul for 100 million baht over a commentary he wrote for the Thai-language newspaper Bangkok Biz News.

 

On March 19, it filed another civil suit, against Nongnart Harnvilai, an editor at the Thai-language daily Krungthep Turakit, demanding 100 million baht in damages.

 

The company has also filed a suit for one billion baht against Jit Siratranont, the vice secretary-general of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.

 

Somchai Kraikrutree, a member of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, who heads a committee on economic development in the Northeast, said the chambers of commerce in 19 northeastern provinces recently met in Buri Ram and resolved to push for the charges to be withdrawn.

 

In its statement, the chambers of commerce announced that they disagreed with the legal action.

 

They will hand a letter opposing the court action to the British embassy and the United Nations office in Thailand.

 

They have also announced they will stop engaging in any activities with the company unless it withdraws the suits.

 

They will also set up a foundation to promote employment in the Northeast and to protect local small businesses from losing customers to large stores.

 

''We have sent copies of our resolution to the chambers of commerce in other regions,'' Mr Somchai said.

 

''We are unhappy with Tesco Lotus' fast business expansion all over the country. We fear its growing operations in Thailand could be detrimental to the livelihoods of local people.''

 

The number of small retail shops in the downtown area of Udon Thani are gradually dwindling, he added.

 

The provincial chamber of commerce is ready to support businesses as long as they comply with the laws and the principles of good governance, he said.

[JustMe]

posiedon wrote

I await the lawsuits, because Teso can't be criticised, and lawsuits are what they do best Evil or Very Mad Bring it on Tesco!What do you think will be their best offers in their opening week..................Alcohol? surely no? they wouldn't have the affront to generalize about Shetland folk like that..........................Would they?...............Wait and see.

 

Well I was interested to see that their first Shetland Times advert was for Red Kidney Beans and their second was for a trolley load of groceries for £20. But yes I am sure adverts for alcohol will come. And why not.......the last Co-op leaflet I got pictured 10 bottles of beer, 3 of wine and one bottle of French fizz.

 

Lawsuits?.........I am sure that Tesco would take action to stop unfair criticisms being published in a newspaper but I seriously doubt that they would even consider taking action against me or Shetlink if I was to write that I thought those red kidney beans were terrible. That would be my opinion and British law allows us to have opinions and to make those opinions known by whatever means we choose.