SME Blog

Quote of the month

"Good heavens, where did January go?"

Time certainly does go faster as you get older.  Normal service will resume in February. 

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Retail and the Good Life

A long break was just what the doctor ordered and now the New Year has well and truly begun it’s a pleasure to get back to the blog.

While I’ve been away Tesco have been hard at work.  Not content with their shops being open day and night for most of the Christmas Break, this retailer also has a new website called Talking Tesco.

It’s a fascinating concept; a content rich website completely dedicated to gathering views from the public on Tesco and the company giving a direct response.  Let’s not forget that Tesco takes 30 per cent of everything spent on UK groceries.  Is this a case of Tesco being innovative and leading the way to get a real understanding of their customers’ needs and concerns?  Mmm, well not exactly. 

Taking Graham Hoenes comments he must think it is more of a place to worship at the church of the holy Tesco than a place for balanced and informed views. He comments:

“They should rename it Talking B****ocks”

Tesco view it more of an opportunity to “put the record straight”. 

Depressingly anyone wishing to leave a comment on the Talking Tesco site must first agree to their legal terms and conditions.   The entire site has the feel of a PR vehicle to promote Tesco and help its case before the UK Competition Commission.  However, it is an indication of how large companies are adapting and using new technologies to communicate with customers.

On a lighter note one couple will definitely not be in any rush to visit Tesco.  They are taking the route of self sufficiency.  Noteworthy in this case as they actually live in the original property used in the Good Life series.  For those who don’t know this comedy series contained four of the UK’s best loved actors and actresses and made self sufficiently famous in the UK 30 years ago.   

I remember watching the series thinking the whole idea of self sufficiently was quite barking mad.  It’s strange that with the Eco and Organic movements how things have changed.

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Philip Woodgate