The petition
Reasons to stop Tesco building a new ‘Express’ Store
Tesco now controls 30% of the grocery market in the UK. Growing evidence indicates that Tesco's success relies on trading practices that are having serious consequences for suppliers, farmers and workers worldwide, local shops and the environment. A recent survey shows almost half of the public (43%) in the UK would oppose a new Tesco store in their area while only a third (33%) would welcome one. The survey contradicts Tesco's claims that the 'silent majority' of people want a new Tesco store in their area. The survey also shows the majority of people (80%) want more independent local shops in their local area - something that is being rapidly eroded by the closure of local shops which cannot compete with the big supermarkets.
The UK's biggest supermarkets are grappling for an ever greater market share. Small independent stores and suppliers, and ultimately consumers, are paying a direct price in the face of unfair competition. In the five years to 2002, 50 specialist stores including butchers, bakers, fishmongers and newsagents closed every week. In May 2005 the IGD revealed the loss of 2,157 unaffiliated independent convenience retailers, compared to only 1,079 the year before. In 2007, the supermarket chain announced over £2.5 billion in profits.
It’s a decision that will affect hundreds of people for many years. A new Tesco will; kill off local diverse shops, make traffic worse and isn’t in keeping with the Victorian buildings of the Oxford Road. Also their central distribution system will increase traffic and make climate change emissions worse at a time when Reading is attempting to reduce its carbon footprint. At the same time we're discussing having more Tescos in Reading the Competition Commission is about to report on their practises. There will probably be a ban on so-called retrospective payments to suppliers – a system by which the latter end up giving the retailers discounts for selling their items – when it unveils its preliminary findings from a probe into the sector.
They will always want more, until eventually they have it all. We need lots of people to help stop them taking over Reading. Every little helps.
Adrian Windisch
www.readinggreenparty.org.uk
18 Kent Road, Reading RG30 2EJ
0118 9567190
adrian@windisch.co.uk
www.greenreading.blogspot.com/...
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