↓ The Tesco Hunger

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What retailer wants, retailer gets. And in the UK this rule applies in the same way it does as in France, the States or anywhere-else (most money-driven economies) where Wal-Marts, Carrefours or Mercadonas have managed to completely destroy the local grocery-shop businesses. Remember the 80-20 rule? or was it the 90-10? In any case in the “10% retailers = 90% of retail sector revenues” maxim also applies to Tescopoly.

The third largest global retailer based on revenue & operating in more than 15 countries (after those Wal-Marts & Carrefours), has become to many here in the UK, some kind of nightmare…. A highly diversified portfolio of shops to meet all kinds of demand… from supermarkets to soft & hard discount …. Tesco Metro, Extra, Superstores, Express, One Stop, Homeplus…. any format you can imagine, they either have it or are about to launch it. And in the same way their competitors do, food is not enough. Tesco is now synonym of banking services, mobile phone services, petrol stations…. and like most companies, they really wish your whole life could be summarised with their brand… the “Tesco way of life”.

Today, Tesco controls over 30% of the grocery market in the UK, a position other global retailers haven’t quite reached yet, even in their home countries and that certainly gives big T that price-negotiating (nearly monopolistic) power every company desires.

In their crusade to become the second largest retailer worldwide every little corner helps. Every little local could become a potential Tesco regardless of the neighbourhood, county or city. Think of a place where you would or could never remotely imagine Tesco opening a store… once again, they’ve probably checked the area before you even realized it.

And their latest addition (if everything goes… wrong) will be Bristol’s “Cultural Quarter”… Stokes Croft, known for its gallery spaces, great pubs & clubs, independent cinemas, cafes, music venues…. a genuine symbol of cultural tolerance in a dynamic environment.

One month after the march against Tesco’s plans the place has been occupied by many citizens afraid (and aware) David Reid will give birth to another of his gremlin babies contaminating Stokes Croft. They camp outside, inside, on the roof, organise evenings or block the entrance with loads of scrap & old furniture… everything is valid and everyone is welcome to demonstrate their indignation.

The new shiny Tesco should be opening their doors at the site of the Old Jesters Comedy Club (Cheltenham Road) in the coming weeks invading this way the last energetic yet peaceful cultural oasis in Bristol. 30 Tescos in this city aren’t enough (5 within a mile…) so why not kill all those local bastards opening another one? The building was granted Change of Use permission by Bristol City Council in November 2009 and with a quick move Tesco bought the lease once Change of Use was granted…

To be honest I was one of the few people who must have said “yes” to the poll they were carrying on the streets about opening this shop. I was new to the city, didn’t know what SK Croft represented and I’m now very sorry about that answer….. now all we’ve got to do is sit & wait because…. what bit T wants, big T gets…. or it doesn’t?