On Saturday, the Irish Times had an article about how Irish brands were going to start disappearing from the shelves of Tesco as the supermarket chain wants to have Irish shops mirror their British shops in terms of offerings. They will start removing Irish products from shops close to the border and in at least one shop in Cork. It is also understood that if successful, Tesco will do the same across all their shops in the Republic.
It’s a story that should have caught the attention of anyone who loves food in Ireland, since the ripples of such a decision would be immense. Tesco own around 23% of the Irish food market, and the impact upon Irish food producers (and Irish employment) in losing such a huge chunk of market share could be catastrophic. According to Bord Bia, the average spend of Irish people on imported foods has risen 50% since 2000. With Tesco dumping Irish brands, that percentage would skyrocket as a large segment of Irish consumers would lose easy access to Irish brands. There could be many Irish food companies that would not survive losing such a large percentage of their sales.
I’ve already written about the web of connectivity here, and I think it’s time to stop pretending that the decisions we make in our spending habits have no effect of the Irish economy and jobs. I also think we need more pride when it comes to Irish foods. I don’t know where the government stands in all of this, but they would be very wise to take action, or they will be complicit in giving us a poorer selection of Irish food items and facing even longer dole queues. Unfortunately, given their track record, I wouldn’t have faith in them doing much of anything.
Perhaps a better plan would be to have a more activist spirit here in Ireland among consumers. Compared to my experience of living in other countries, we tend to meekly accept many things that come at us (with a lot of complaining) instead of fighting back. The power is in our hands. If enough customers vote with their feet or otherwise make their displeasure known, it would put a very quick stop to Tesco’s plans before we lose Irish food companies and the jobs that go with them.
Just a little note: We do not sell into Tesco, so we have no direct stake except possibly losing Irish foods we love.
Thanks for highlighting this, I wasn’t aware of it. Had typed a longer reply earlier, but security code problem wiped my comment. So where can we go from here? Internet campaign, pickets on stores? Guerilla stickering of shelves? It definitely can’t end with this blog post.
I wonder if it isn’t cynical ploy so they can change mind amid big fan fare and come out as supporter of Irish foods.
here here…I for one will vote with my feet
Hopefully Dunnes won’t follow suit. We’re seriously considering boycotting Tesco, not only for the threat to Irish produce, but the price discounts on the boarder which aren’t reaching the southern part of the country.
I am all for what Tesco are doing. They are giving consumers choice. If consumers continue to buy Irish then I would assume that these products will remain on the shelf. If consumers decide that the Irish products are not up to scratch or are too expensive then so be it.
Either way, Dunnes and Super Value will probably still have the Irish products anyway!
Also I think that Tesco should get the finger out and roll out these changes to all of their Irish stores. Its discrimination I tells ya
@Dave
The big problem with what Tesco are doing is that they ARE reducing consumer choice by deliberately displaying product in a certain way. They’ve always done this of course – but when it is to the detriment of Irish suppliers – I don’t think this is right.
Check this Tribune article for more http://bit.ly/101hkU
Yes, Tesco are giving people a choice. And we need to vote with our feet and wallets.
If Dunnes, etc. see people boycotting Tesco own-brand or non-Irish produce then business sense will ensure they don’t follow suit.
So the next step begins this week when you decide to go shopping. Tesco or not? And wherever you shop – where do those strawberries, that meat, those vegetables come from?
State intervention is needed to stop these developments. Otherwise get used to it. Simply Capitalism in action.