Topic ID 325
If the recent changes at Tesco were meant to offer an improved range, what's happened to the Pick'n'Mix?
Reply ID 2244
An improved range doesn't neccessarily mean an increased range or even retaining the existing range.
Reply ID 2248
aaah, but they have a much bigger anf better "Finest" range............very tasty!
Reply ID 2253
Yep......the increase in the Finest range says a lot about the customers.
Reply ID 2255
Remember its xmas now for supermarkets, items such as pick n mix are always 1st to give way for xmas products, pick n mix will be back i'm sure!
Reply ID 2288
Oh and on the topic of tesco can I just ask why they have given so many spaces to the disabled - sorry that came out badly what I mean is that in all my trips to tesco I have never seen them all full, I already thought to myself that they have a large proportion of disabled and parent and child spaces. It now seems as though half the car park is one of the two! I think its going slightly overboard. Perhaps its all to do with the disabled shopper friendly scheme, I suppose it is a good tag to have for them if they win it!
Reply ID 2302
I agree with you on the disabled/with child parking bays that are very rarely fully in use (and when they are, most cars do not have a disabled sticker on them anyway!). I do use Hertford Tesco every morning to get lunch for work but at any other time it is chaos and I much prefer to use the Hatfield branch as it doesn't take much longer to get there from Sele Farm due to the traffic into Hertford and they have a much better range and far more parking.
Reply ID 2331
I used to like Tesco in Herford but since the "improvements" the aisles are narrower and I can't find anything. It also seems to get more and more crowded probably due to all the people moving into the new flats that are continually being built in Hertford.
Reply ID 2336
We very rarely shop in Tescos, even though Morrisons is further away, it is more spacious, better stocked and cheaper, and by the time we have finished it is a heck of a site quicker.
Reply ID 2337
More disabled and 'with child' parking bays means that there is more likely to be a space for someone who genuinely needs it. In the old car park most of these spaces were occupied by lazy, selfish people who simply could not be bothered to walk a few extra metres. Perhaps they saw a few of these bays empty and thought that occupying one wouldn't make much of an impact. That is fine until the rest of the bays rapidly fill up. Having witnessed someone on crutches have to make their way across the car park because the disabled bay was full of cars and most of these did not have the required stickers, I full support creating extra spaces. They also have a parking attendant now and part of his role is to check the vehicles in the disabled bays. Well done, I say.
Reply ID 2338
Can I suggest Waitrose? Yep.....we do have 2 supermarkets in town.
Reply ID 2352
No pick'n'mix in Waitrose either! [V]
Reply ID 2353
May I suggest the 3 minute walk to Woolies?
Reply ID 2357
quote:It seems like Tescos have gone overboard in trying to solve the problem. The parking attendant stopping the non disabled people would probably have been enough[;)]
Originally posted by Ewoowar
More disabled and 'with child' parking bays means that there is more likely to be a space for someone who genuinely needs it. In the old car park most of these spaces were occupied by lazy, selfish people who simply could not be bothered to walk a few extra metres. They also have a parking attendant now and part of his role is to check the vehicles in the disabled bays.
Reply ID 2361
I agree jez_p now that the attendant is there the disabled space are nearly always empty, this is good that people who shouldn't park in them now dont but still I think there are far too many! I agree it is very frustrating to see people park in them and I am often one of those annoying people that goes over to speak to them in smaller car parks where there is only one or two disabled spaces. As far as tesco goes I wouldn't use them but I have to be honest I wouldn't think too badly if people did!
Reply ID 2376
Personally you would have to drag me kicking and screaming into Tesco's if I went by car. The last two times I went in there in a car there was absolute gridlock. Walking is an obvious alternate, but the aisles are very narrow and it is difficult to really enjoy the shopping experience
Reply ID 2377
That Barry a.c. doesn't know what he is talking about..... Tescos is brill.[:D]
Reply ID 2378
The only good thing about Tescos is that they were not allowed to build it on an out of town site. That would have ended up with other retailers on the same site and the town centre would have been impacted. I am grateful for having the best supermarket in the country in town, Waitrose.
Reply ID 2379
I too am glad we don't have an out-of-town supermarket in Hertford it would have completely ruined the place. Hertford Tesco is a much better shopping experience than Brookfield Farm Tesco - I hate that one I just wish they'd left the Hertford one as was it was.
Reply ID 2384
Just to add a few comments! Does anyone really enjoy shopping in a supermarket? In my opinion a supermarket is good if it is convenient. i.e if you can get there by car without any probs such as Qs in and out and not having to park a mile from the store entrance. Personally I like to do 1 big shop a wk then go to local shops for fresh produce during the wk. So I would not often go to a supermarket without the car. Secondly, once inside I want to have a varied selection available, without having to walk round a store thats a mile long! I dont want it to be busy, but I can knowingly go at quieter times for that and I dont want to Q at the checkout for an eternity. With all that in mind Waitrose is out for parking reasons and although the food is good it is more expensive! Tesco is not ideal as it falls short on all of the above but it is the most covenient to get to. Now to advise the ideal supermarket..... Tesco Hatfield that is the almost always perfect supermarket, which is why i often go via there on my way home from work! Oh and just to add 2 wks ago someone reversed into my car smashing my headlight in tesco hertford! The two reasons the lady gave me were that she was driving a people carrier and as my car is low to the floor she couldn't see me out of her back window (or hear my horn?) and that she was confused at the new exit of the car park, that she thought she could turn right out of the exit! I did agree with her that a few signs would have helped!
Reply ID 2386
By the time I drive to Hatfield Tesco and navigate my way around their car park full of agressive and careless drivers, I usually end up parking further away from the store than I do when I go to Waitrose in Hertford or Waitrose in WGC. Furthermore, the Hertford Waitrose allows you to park under cover. Trudging across the Hatfield Tesco car park in the wet and cold and trying to cross the car lanes is very unpleasent. Waitrose is slightly more expensive. But then can nearly always pick up reduced bargains of good quality, unlike Tesco where you get a shelf or two of poor quality products that are on their sell by date. In addition to this I got fed up walking round Tesco and finding that they were significantly understocked and that a number of the products I wanted were on the shelf either on or past their sell by date. And the staff are different too. I had Tesco staff ignore more blatantly. I've watched a member of staff drop tomatoes on the floor, pick them up, check if anyone is looking and put them on display. I've stood next to groups of Tesco staff chatting away and swearing. I do still shop at Tesco when needs deems neccessary but by choice I will always choose Waitrose.
Reply ID 2388
Well, I'm off to Waitrose to indulge in quality service and produce.
Reply ID 2389
I'm off to M&S at WGC..........................
Reply ID 2428
I would always put Waitrose at the top of my list in terms of what you get, afterall I started my career as a manager in Waitrose WGC!!! But still dont believe it has the convenience factor I really want. Oh by the way not to slate any company specifically, but the other day I found myself in an ASDA supermarket not through choice, more as a result of Sunday trading laws messing up my day! But it was an absoloute nightmare. There was no sense to the layout of the store, I couldn't have put my arms out either side of me for fear of knocking the shelves down and there was no fresh food, well not what I would class as fresh food! It was easily the worst store I have ever been to. Anyway back to the subject, would disagree with most points about Tesco Hatfield, the car park can be a pain but I have never had trouble to find a space. They only put deliveries out at night, so best time to go there is in the morning.
Reply ID 2429
Oh and Emma I hope you are kidding about M&S!!!
Reply ID 2434
My dinner tonight came from M&S...........was very yummy!
Reply ID 2435
Hmmm will hold back from commenting on M&S!
Reply ID 2436
In the industry Tesco are renowned for having a first class supply chain underpinned by a system called Continuous Replenishment. This system has taken years in development and has been rolled out across the entire chain. It is meant to allow for 3 deliveries a day. By doing soit cuts down on the amount of stock left standing in the back of the store. This is why I am dumbfounded whenever I go to a Tesco to find such poorly stocked shelves.
Reply ID 2442
Again you are very right, my feeling is that Tesco are in a rut, from what I know its not so much a problem in getting the stock more in getting the stock to the shelves. Due to their popularity the stores are that busy that it is near impossible to carry out effective replenishment during the day. As a result nearly all of their store reply on night replen. Unfortunatly this means that if you go there early evening the majority of their core lines are often unavailable. I have certain products that I nearly always have to ask for in the Hertford store, they always have had these products in their delivery area! As far as the ordering system goes, When I was working with Waitrose I picked up a bit on the variences between different systems in each of the companies, for example Sainsburys in the past couple of years invested radically in IT this resulted in a major balls up that has left the company in pieces. They spent a lot of money and basically ended up with a faulty system that had so many hic ups they were better off before. I would bet that Waitrose would still be at the top in terms of availability as it was when I was there, although this is not just down to a good system but also down to the fact that they have smaller stores, their sales do not compare in the slightest to Tesco etc... and being a in the John Lewis partnership their staff to sales ratio is a lot higher. So basically Tesco sell a lot therefore they run out, Waitrose don't sell a lot so they tend not to run out. Sainsburys are buggered Morrisons are on the up and Asda is (in my experience crap) also on the up but in different areas. Advice .... Go to Tesco if they dont have what you want on the shelf ask someone, there is always the checkout manager with the radio at the front of the store if you cant find anyone! Or even better the security guard that watches TV all day at the front of the store!
Reply ID 2443
Problem is that you have to wait until the end of your shop and then go to the checkout manager with a list of items that were not on the shelf.
Reply ID 2446
Could go to America for our shopping they seem to get it right over there! would result in a costly weekly shop mind you!
Reply ID 2586
Tesco is a victim of its own success. It has the largest range (fact), the best ordering system (industry accepted), and the average best prices in the UK (industry tracked). BUT....the more people want to go there. the more out of stocks, car park abuse and general complains it raises. Its a fact that nearly all of the same suppliers supply all the major chains. Freshness is a myth. We all fall for lifestyle or marketing tricks. The ONLY reason they added more disabled spaces is the fact that too many Hertford residents have begun sticking "two fingers" up to polite and civil behaviour. Don't blame Tesco for our own failure to take responsibility for our children or community. Tesco is the most hated retailer, also because its the most popular. If we all wanted rose coloured green grocers and butchers in the high street, we would have shopped there.
Reply ID 2592
I have to disagree with you Dude. Freshness is not a myth. Indeed I would suggest the opposite.......equality of produce across the chains is a myth. Produce is held by the supermarket and the manner in which it is stored and transported and the length of time effects the freshness. As too does the manner in which it is displayed and, again, the length of time. This is one area where Tesco fail. In addition, supermarkets will not get the same QUALITY product if they hammer the suppliers price into the floor. Trust me on this one.
Reply ID 2597
quote:You are I strongly believe right on this one, firstly Waitrose are the odd ones out, they have many suppliers exclusive to them, yes they advertise this, but wouldn't you! It is a major factor in their survival as the upper end supermarket and a reason why M&S are not doing so well at the moment. As for the others, it is true that they share suppliers however there are differences in transport and their DCs which is what effects the freshness. There are yearly awards for nearly all aspects of a supermarket, Waitrose near enough allways gets the wine and fresh produce awards.
Freshness is not a myth. Indeed I would suggest the opposite.......equality of produce across the chains is a myth. Produce is held by the supermarket and the manner in which it is stored and transported and the length of time effects the freshness. As too does the manner in which it is displayed and, again, the length of time. This is one area where Tesco fail.
Reply ID 2598
I had a mate who once worked in a chicken processing factory. They often found that one supermarket would accept a consignment that had been rejected by a different one (even with all the added time and often repackaging etc. involved in shifting from one to the other). I can't remember the names of the chains involved, but there was a definite (perceived) price difference between the two and the expensive one was the one that rejected the consignment. I've heard similar anecdotal stories about bread factories (there's no way I'd flatter them by calling them bakeries), too.
Reply ID 2939
I feel the trouble is that Tesco has no competition. There a number of Farmer's markets around Hertfordshire but not well known. However, that is no reason to not putting the supermarket under pressure and to ask why they don't source local produce and to petition EHDC to introduce more local Farmer's markets, at least the Development Board tries! If the population of Hertford continues to grow with the East of England proposals etc then Tesco's are laughing all the way to the bank - give them something to think about.
Reply ID 2943
No number of farmers markets will ever put 'the evil empire' that is Tesco under any threat. Consumer behaviour or perception will have to change.
Reply ID 2946
Am I the only person who finds Waitrose a cathartic experience after the mayhem that passes for Tesco?
Reply ID 3321
I used to be a buyer for Waitrose, and a head of buying for Tesco, and believe me, a lot of (not all) freshness comparisons are a myth. In fact, Tesco has the fastest supply chain, so in fact, they ARE the freshest 9 times out of 10. People often confuse freshness with product choice or presentation. We tend to believe that Waitrose is the freshest, or the most ethically correct. In fact, Waitrose is second only to Morrisons as the slowest supply chain of the big 6. But of course, we are all entitled to our opinion. I have no alliegence to any of the companies, (iceland is my favourite at the moment!) but I do know how they operate. I feel sorry for Tesco, because it is simply a victim of its own success. Tesco is as successful as it is because so many choose to shop there. Not that they are some kind of deadly machine that destroys farmers. When another butchers packs up, the only people to blame are you and me. Tesco doesn't kill town centres, customers do. Its like the way Microsoft are treated. they are slagged off, yet so few bother to change operating systems. We are like to moan, but do nothing about it.
Reply ID 3331
I appreciate your previous positions, Dude, but I have never had to point out mouldy produce on the shelves to staff at Waitrose. Tesco might get the stock to the stores faster but they also leave it there longer.
Reply ID 3378
quote:Equally, I have been in the backrooms of a Waitrose while they chuck stuff around a scrape mould off fruit before it goes on the shopfloor (its not just Waitrose, they all do it). Waitrose must be the best at hiding it! [:D]
Originally posted by Ewoowar
I appreciate your previous positions, Dude, but I have never had to point out mouldy produce on the shelves to staff at Waitrose. Tesco might get the stock to the stores faster but they also leave it there longer.
Reply ID 3382
that should be a new 'Goldie Looking Chain' song! "Tesco don't kill town centres, customers do". Sorry a bit cheesy I know but I could not help but sing the words to the tune when I read your message Dude!
Reply ID 3441
quote:Its a hit. We need to get Chris Moyles on board! [:D]
Originally posted by Nicky
that should be a new 'Goldie Looking Chain' song! "Tesco don't kill town centres, customers do". Sorry a bit cheesy I know but I could not help but sing the words to the tune when I read your message Dude!
Reply ID 3766
Dude wrote: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- When another butchers packs up, the only people to blame are you and me. Tesco doesn't kill town centres, customers do. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Yeah but the competition is not fair competition. Customers can only to a certain extent pay higher prices to support individual businesses. And while I'm moaning.... Where has Tesco Hertford's Twinnings Green Tea gone? Where have ALL its coffee beans gone? I would put a question in their feedback box, but the last time I did that noone bothered to reply. So in my case Tescos is loathed not because so many people shop there, but because they treat customers in such a cavalier manner. And another thing.... Why do people reverse into supermarket parking spaces? It takes more time than reversing out, holds everyone else up, and you can't even get the shopping in the boot as easily! One of the great mysteries of modern urban life.
Reply ID 3768
Until I took a temp job delivering cars I always parked nose first. But after four weeks driving all sorts of vehicles in all sorts of conditions can now reverse anything into any space. That way you have much better vision when exiting, esp in confined spaces. The problem is that no one is actually taught in lessons how to reverse into tight spaces. A compulsory four week part time job with Trimoco (as was) will soon cure that.
Reply ID 3774
quote:In the Hatfield Tesco last weekend I noticed the feedback bored. Somebody had posted a question asking where the Pick and Mix section had gone. The Tesco reply was next to it. "Pick and Mix is not part of the Tesco Extra format. As we are now a Tesco Extra we have not got a Pick and Mix section any more". What sort of an answer is that? Why not be honest? Why not tell people that financially Pick and Mix does not deliver sufficient revenue for the amount of space it uses? I dislike it when a comopany puts up a communication board simply to make it look like they are listening to their customers.
Originally posted by Mike
And while I'm moaning.... Where has Tesco Hertford's Twinnings Green Tea gone? Where have ALL its coffee beans gone? I would put a question in their feedback box, but the last time I did that noone bothered to reply. So in my case Tescos is loathed not because so many people shop there, but because they treat customers in such a cavalier manner.
Reply ID 3778
I think Tesco in Hertford is not stocked very well despite the 24 hr opening signs! I don't enjoy shopping, no woman does really unless its clothes or shoes, but I think other ones in Brookfield Farm and Hatfield are so big they make you run out screaming, you have too much choice and get sensory overload! Bring back the corner shop, personal service and free deliveries... I can hear the "Hovis" boy on his bike beckoning!!!
Reply ID 3780
Personally I drive to London Colney to get M&S and Sainsbury’s in one place. The Tesco's in Hertford is tiny and the one in Hatfield has now the most bizarre selection of goods (i.e. it’s not often I have “new car battery, Dulux masonry paint, an industrial type pressure hose and milk” on the same shopping list).
Reply ID 3785
I am also getting more and more irritated with Tesco, I feel we are unfortunate in Hertford, either we go to Hertford Tesco where you can never get what you want then stand in the Q for 20min, or go to Hatfield or Brookfield Farm both of which are far too big for any sensible normal person to enjoy going to. Personnally I wish they had let Hatfield be, it was big before but not to the point where you could get lost in it!
Reply ID 3789
The Hertford Tesco was better before they "improved" it. Aisles are too narrow now leading to congestion, I can't find anything and if I find the right place it's out of stock. And why oh why are the dispensers for bags for fruit and veg so often empty - aargh. I end up getting stuff from M&S near work to top up shop.
Reply ID 3791
Unfortunately Tesco do not listen to anything but the period sales figures. They have got to the point of arrogantly trying to dictate how we shop rather than provide a service that the customer wants.
Reply ID 3792
I'd have to disagree with you there Ewar. It's precisely by giving the customer what they want that they have become so successful. Have you BEEN to Sainsbury's? - they lost the plot ten years ago. I remember writing to them three times with complaints about one thing or another and not once did they have the courtesy to reply. I know what you mean CityBird. In fact, maybe we should have a "Tesco Users Forum" section along the same lines as the "Rail Users Forum". As well as the bag boxes being empty, another problem is that they don't wheel the baskets back to the entrance quite often, so you arrive and there are none there. I think part of the problem is not only the special circumstances at the Hertford store but also the management is rather weak I think. And by special circumstances I mean that the stock goes out the front door as fast as they can get it in the back, which is why you often find stuff out of stock. The Hertford store is stretched logistically. And then there's the layout of the entrance - onto a narrow pavement - it's just bad design.
Reply ID 3793
And I am afraid I have to disagree with you Steve, too. Tesco know very well that customers shop with them for the 'overall' benefits. They know that customers know they can get better service and probably better products elsewhere. However they cannot get it under one roof and the convenience factor is the clincher. Tesco work this. They limit ranges (i.e. 80% of bottle beers are from 20% of the range therefore decrease the range without impact and allow other types of products to be stocked without impact takings). By doing this they start to dictate the shopping habits. Shoppers go to Tesco because it sells the majority of the products they want and then they compromise by buying products they would ideally not choose simply for convenience. Trust me......Tesco exploit this. I am an ex-employee of the 'The Empire'. I know the beast from inside.
Reply ID 3794
I think I can see where Eyeore is coming from. There are some things that Sainsburys (for example) do musch better than Tescos, but overall I end up using Tescos more for the convenience factor and then having to compromise on some items. Sad but true. But I also agree with Steve that Sainsburys have lost the plot somewhat.
Reply ID 3797
Eyeore!!! LOL
Reply ID 3798
quote:[;)] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/3638874.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/3638874.stm
Originally posted by Steve
Eyeore!!! LOL
Reply ID 3807
Why do the staff in Tescos insist on asking if you want help packing? It's very annoying. Even if you want 4 items !?!? And once I had to complain to the supervisor about a checkout girl chatting to her mate as she was putting our stuff through, its her saying of F-word that upset us most!
Reply ID 3808
quote:Any why, when you say "no, I'll be fine, thanks", do they insist on blasting your shopping through the scanner and down the conveyer belt at breakneck speed while you desperately try to keep up, as if to teach you the folly of spurning their offer!
Originally posted by Sargasso
Why do the staff in Tescos insist on asking if you want help packing? It's very annoying. Even if you want 4 items !?!?
Reply ID 3813
quote:For most the question is second nature. For some it is still quite embarassing to have to ask even when a perfectly fit customer has just a packet of razor blades. Tesco has mystery shoppers who will report on the customer experience and part of that 'offering' is the offer of help at the till. Also, the Hertford, Hatfield and Brookfield Farm stores are very close to Head Office offices. So they are frequented by many members of Tesco staff who are head office based and who may feed back internally if there are issues. You will also find that these stores get some of the new developments in store first. Hertford Tesco was one of the first to get Chip & Pin.
Originally posted by Sargasso
Why do the staff in Tescos insist on asking if you want help packing? It's very annoying. Even if you want 4 items !?!? And once I had to complain to the supervisor about a checkout girl chatting to her mate as she was putting our stuff through, its her saying of F-word that upset us most!
Reply ID 3817
I have found Tesco generally getting to be a pain in the behind recently. I buy organic milk which is approx a third of the milk stock they have on the shelves generally, yet they are often out of stock (I refuse to buy 'normal' just because they are pushing me to) Then today, I got the full trolley of shopping sped down the belt like a racetrack, no offer of help etc, and then she just grabbed my cards where I had put them without telling me the total or anything - not a word! [:0] Grrr! [}:)]
Reply ID 3820
quote:Ouch. Is you not smiley no more?[:D]
Originally posted by smileyoriley
I have found Tesco generally getting to be a pain in the behind recently. I buy organic milk which is approx a third of the milk stock they have on the shelves generally, yet they are often out of stock (I refuse to buy 'normal' just because they are pushing me to) Then today, I got the full trolley of shopping sped down the belt like a racetrack, no offer of help etc, and then she just grabbed my cards where I had put them without telling me the total or anything - not a word! [:0] Grrr! [}:)]
Reply ID 3824
hehe not at the time I wasn't [;)]
Reply ID 3825
One thing that most people may not be aware of is that the UK part of the business is not far off becoming the least significant profit driver for The Empire. As the non-UK business becomes greater the UK business will become less important. Me thinks it has already. They may make billions annually already but it's the continual efficiency drives that fuel the global expansion. You may think this doesn't impact you as a customer but it does. They COULD have more facilities, extra staff, increased ranging.............but the business cannot allow it. I think I'll shut up. I'm boring myself. Sad old wazzok.
Reply ID 3872
quote:You are dead right. 16% nett growth last year. But savings don't fuel international growth, sales do. Tesco is doing it better than it rivals, even in places like Czech, Poland, Thailand etc etc. But the thing is, Tesco only does what every other business does. Even corner shops maximise the shop floor. If a product doesn't sell, you change it. But when Tesco do it, there is almost a witchhunt. Some of the posts on here seem to think that Tesco is a public service. Tesco only makes an average of 6% on food. It just happens to sell a hell of a lot. Joe Bloggs on the high street tries to make between 30 and 100% on his lower volume. Where is the problem with either? Its in its interest to drive sales, and that is done by giving the MAJORITY of its customers what it wants. If they don't deliver it, people can go elsewhere. Its that simple. The bigger it gets, the bigger the MINORITY of complaining customers. The disabled parking spaces issue made me laugh. It was always full, so people complained. So They made it bigger. And people complained!
Originally posted by Ewoowar
One thing that most people may not be aware of is that the UK part of the business is not far off becoming the least significant profit driver for The Empire. As the non-UK business becomes greater the UK business will become less important. Me thinks it has already. They may make billions annually already but it's the continual efficiency drives that fuel the global expansion. You may think this doesn't impact you as a customer but it does. They COULD have more facilities, extra staff, increased ranging.............but the business cannot allow it. I think I'll shut up. I'm boring myself. Sad old wazzok.
Reply ID 3873
I think the issue was more that the disabled spaces yes were always full, but generally full of lazy not disabled people [;)]
Reply ID 3880
quote:Yep, and I think it always will be! [:)]
Originally posted by smileyoriley
I think the issue was more that the disabled spaces yes were always full, but generally full of lazy not disabled people [;)]
Reply ID 3956
quote:I don't think Tesco is viewed as a public service. I think people get frustrated by them. One of the main benefits of a supermarket is their ability to provide a large number of products inder the same roof. Along with price it is surely the main reason for shopping there. A lot of the posts have been about lack of produce on the shelves, therefore impacting and detracting from their main benefit. Corner shops do also remove/replace product ranges that fail to sell sufficiently to make them commercially viable. But there is not the same cynical, manipulative, corporate approach. I remember a few years ago going into Botsfords and asking for something. The guy told me they didn't stock it as there was not much call for it. He then advised me where I can go to get the product. With the 'Pick & Mix' example at Tesco, when a customer took the time to use the stores own customer feedback system they get "Pick & Mix is not part of the Extra Format - We are an Extra store - Therefore no Pick & Mix". To a customer that's just corporate nonsense. The other thing about local stores is that those who own them usually work in the store or are involved with it. Owning a shop is a huge undertaking and doing this is not just about money. You have to want to sell things and be interested in working with the public. With Tesco it IS just about money. There's no passion to work with people and the public. The decision makers are focussed on the commercial aspects. Sure they are concerned about other elements such as the customer experience, etc, but ONLY if it has a direct link to the commercial success of the company. I find it odd that those at a very senior level within the organisation call themselves retailers. They are businessmen/women. Tesco, along with other supermarkets, effectively narrow choice in a number pf product lines. For example if 80% of sales in a product range come from 20% of the products the range is likely to be cut. There is also a drive to replacing branded goods with their own products. And yes, as a consumer I can go elsewhere. And by choice I do. However when I use Tesco, which is usually when the other shops are closed, I get frustrated. For example, at 20:30 yesterday I would have expected Tesco to have a few more loaves of bread.
Originally posted by Dudequote:You are dead right. 16% nett growth last year. But savings don't fuel international growth, sales do. Tesco is doing it better than it rivals, even in places like Czech, Poland, Thailand etc etc. But the thing is, Tesco only does what every other business does. Even corner shops maximise the shop floor. If a product doesn't sell, you change it. But when Tesco do it, there is almost a witchhunt. Some of the posts on here seem to think that Tesco is a public service. Tesco only makes an average of 6% on food. It just happens to sell a hell of a lot. Joe Bloggs on the high street tries to make between 30 and 100% on his lower volume. Where is the problem with either? Its in its interest to drive sales, and that is done by giving the MAJORITY of its customers what it wants. If they don't deliver it, people can go elsewhere. Its that simple. The bigger it gets, the bigger the MINORITY of complaining customers. The disabled parking spaces issue made me laugh. It was always full, so people complained. So They made it bigger. And people complained!
Originally posted by Ewoowar
Reply ID 4125
I have to say that I do not like Morrision's and have always like Sainsbury's best for supermarkets. I am please to know that Hertford has a Waitrose though.