Comments on: Tescopoly

By: John

John — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:38:20 +0000

The only pressure on any of the large companies to consider the environment comes from laws that are more expensive to obey than flaunt and the PR department.
Companies exist to make money. Directors who don’t seek to maximise return are in breach of their duty to the shareholders.
Perhaps it is time to reconsider the basis of our economy and systems. Maybe to change the emphasis on getting ’stuff’ to doing things of real value.

By: David

David — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:15:56 +0000

The supermarket model is cause for concern. It’s part of the problem with the bigger picture, globalisation. This huge lumbering global economy takes massive amounts of oil to keep it running. The supermarkets are a huge part of that problem. Buying in food from around the world, out of town shopping centres etc. It cannot be sustainable.

Need local food production, local jobs, and a local economy. This reduces fuel use, pollution and food miles. All things the supermarkets seem incapable of doing !

By: John

John — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:25:31 +0000

Eric, I’m not say don’t use Tesco – they’re just the most successful of them all. I’m saying that there is something wrong with the whole system of massive corporations with tremendous power and little or no moral restraint.
I’m a big believer in free enterprise but just look at the bankers pension and tell me all is well with the system.

By: Eric Dobson

Eric Dobson — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:47:56 +0000

The trouble I have is that of being on minimum state pension. (Pension Credit). This results in me having to hate myself in using their lower prices in conflict with moral issues. Sorry but survival comes first.

By: Lee Griffiths

Lee Griffiths — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 21:02:11 +0000

Great article John, not read that particular book but people might want to read some of these in a similar and very scary vein:

Captive State by George Monbiot
No Logo by Naomi Klein
The Best Democracy Money Can Buy by Greg Palast

I don’t do Tesco personally, but have to confess to using both Sainsburys and Asda, and neither of those are saints.

By: Carol Dukes

Carol Dukes — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:30:38 +0000

Thanks for this John. Personally I can’t bear to go into a Tesco because of what they represent. It’s not just about the appalling pressure they apply to their suppliers and the frightening amount of information they hold about customers but it’s also what they have done to the face of our towns and cities. All towns look the same now. It’s not just Tesco of course, it’s the Starbucks and Costas as much as anything. But Tesco are the single worst offender and their arrogance is truly galling too.
For a related subject try “Not on the Label” by Felicity Lawrence.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:24:34 +0000

Brilliant article, I have to agree, they are taking over the world. However, apart from trying to grow as much of my own fruit and veg I do seem to be in there a few times a week. Shame on me I know. I have even witnessed the end of all greengrocers in my own town in the past few years – it’s all rather sad