The Grocer returns to Tesco in Hove to discover how the mega retailer is faring after its first five months of trading. Consumers have certainly put out the welcome mat, its super technology is proving popular, even with senior citizens, but some nearby traders are fuming. Mary Carmichael reports
Tesco’s store in Church Road, Hove, has brought a total of 30,000 new shoppers to the vicinity in under five months, according to the proud manager of the fledgling star performer. Darren Hunter, manager of the 37,000 sq ft outlet, says the choice of location has proved a winner for all concerned,citing increased choice and convenience for consumers, profits “beyond expectation” for Tesco and a huge number of potential shoppers for the neighbourhood’s stores.
“We’ve brought 33,000 shoppers into the area, 30,000 of whom did not shop here before,” he says. “The potential spin-off for local traders must be huge.”
Hunter is keen to point out the effort the store has made to become part of the community in which it is located. The Sunday school at the adjacent church uses the store’s training room for its meetings and local parents may pick up and drop off their children at the adjacent school without incurring charges in Tesco’s car park. The few teething troubles with the instore equipment have been addressed. Digital shelf-edge labelling on lower shelves has been tilted upwards, and lighting glare reduced to make it easier to read prices without bending. The technology updates prices at the press of a computer key.
Other hi-tech options have scored well. A third of customers opt to use the 10 self-scanning tills, with elderly people among the most enthusiastic, according to Hunter.
The panoramic CCTV cameras and security system - which can “focus down to a product’s barcode” - are so efficient they allowed officers to nab a purse-snatcher before the victim knew she’d been robbed.
He is particularly proud of the in-fixture
gaps for cages carrying extra stock. “As a result congestion is not a problem,” he says.
The store’s range, which has risen by 1,000 lines to a total of 20,000, has proved appealing to the area’s catchment, he adds. Nearly half are classified ‘stylish singles’, while one third are elderly people. “About 6% of the population are Jewish,” adds Hunter, “and many tell me that before we arrived they used to have to travel to London to get kosher food.”
The only cloud on an otherwise clear horizon is the opposition by local traders to the conditions Tesco has imposed in its 336-space car park. Part of the chain’s deal with the local authority for planning permission involved the company re-siting a school. The new premises occupy part of what used to be a 100-space pay-and-display car park which has been reduced to 30 spaces.
Nearby traders, especially those in George Street, say this reduction in space, plus the whacking £25 penalty that shoppers must pay if they overshoot the two-hour limit in Tesco’s car park, has robbed them of customers or, at least, stopped them from benefiting from the influx of new shoppers. They argue that two hours does not allow time for a Tesco shop - customers must spend a minimum of £5 in store to use the car park - and the opportunity to browse the local shops.
Talks with local traders are ongoing, says Hunter. “Some tell me their customer numbers are up and we think 99% of our customers are satisfied with the situation as it is.”
He also points out that an extension to the parking time would allow beach lovers, not shoppers, to fill the car park in summer. “And that would not help the local traders any more than it would help us,” he says.
Parking time limit is a blow
Consumer view of shopping Tesco-style
the verdict to date from key affected traders Keith Bryden, chairman, Hove Business Association,
owner Bryden’s DIY
It’s taken a while for the 250-odd businesses in the area to develop George Street into a place to shop, browse, have a coffee and a bite to eat. Since Tesco moved in, the company has gone against the co-operative spirit of its early negotiations and its car park has changed shoppers’ habits in George Street - to the detriment of the local traders.
Robert Mulholland, proprietor of Mulholland’s off-licence
Our takings are down by 12-15% and parking is the main issue. We’re not ready to pack it in yet but we are losing about £600 a week profit. We can compete with Tesco on beer but its low wine prices are alarming and people tend to buy all in the one place. We’re targeting deliveries and are opening earlier. We benefit, though, on Sunday - it can get very busy after Tesco closes at 4pm.Rob Heath, proprietor, St Aubyn’s newsagent
Sales held well at first but the last six weeks have been depressing. I’m not sure how much can be blamed on Tesco, as Christmas sales have been going down for years, with increased competition for last minute presents. Bread and milk are down 30% but papers, sweets and drinks do well.
James Shaw, assistant manager, Slug and Lettuce bar
The lack of parking time has affected daytime trade, as it has for everyone in George Street. Our customers have told us it has been a nightmare. Tesco has taken away lots of parking and it is not fair it charges so much for it.Nayan Shah, postmaster at Blatchington Road PO
We haven’t been as badly affected as we’d feared but customers are always complaining about the lack of parking. If Tesco was allowed to knock down the original car park it could at least have made the new one pay and display.
Claire Frampton, manager of the Co-op store, Blatchington Road
There was a significant sales drop at first as we expected but we have recovered a satisfactory proportion and we are continuing to regain sales. The store is still trading well and we are looking at refitting in the spring.
Roger French, MD of Brighton & Hove Bus Company, chairman of Hove Business Partnership
Trade on the buses has picked up since Tesco opened but this car park issue is a threat to George Street traders. Tesco must look at the wider picture and relax its time limit.
tesco takes the top-up as well as the weekly shop Jane Sutcliffe, 42, mother of three
I do most of my shopping in Tesco and I always drive - a weekly family shop is too heavy to carry. Before Tesco opened, I used to shop on George Street regularly. There are nice shoe shops and I would usually have a coffee somewhere, too. But two hours’ parking doesn’t give me enough time to do that and the supermarket shop. I feel sorry for the George Street traders - I think they are missing out.
Greg Stevens, 32, carpenter
I’ve popped in here to get lunch and a few bits and we do most of our regular shopping here too. The prices are good and we can get everything in one place. I’ve never noticed a sign to George Street - I didn’t realise there was a link, but I probably wouldn’t go down there anyway.
Nancy Portman, 28, doctor’s receptionist
It’s brilliant - this area’s been crying out for a decent supermarket. I only live round the corner so I don’t have to use the car. There is a good range of products too. My daughter has various food allergies and the gluten-free range is especially useful. I think the coffee shop is very good - nice and bright.
Mrs P Twiselton, senior citizen
I’ve been shopping at the Co-op for more years than I care to remember. I like the people there, the layout, the prices and the products. I am able to read the labels and the staff are very friendly. I don’t like the new Tesco at all. It’s too big and the prices are difficult to read without bending down, which I can’t do these days. I shall be staying with the Co-op.
Tesco’s store in Church Road, Hove, has brought a total of 30,000 new shoppers to the vicinity in under five months, according to the proud manager of the fledgling star performer. Darren Hunter, manager of the 37,000 sq ft outlet, says the choice of location has proved a winner for all concerned,citing increased choice and convenience for consumers, profits “beyond expectation” for Tesco and a huge number of potential shoppers for the neighbourhood’s stores.
“We’ve brought 33,000 shoppers into the area, 30,000 of whom did not shop here before,” he says. “The potential spin-off for local traders must be huge.”
Hunter is keen to point out the effort the store has made to become part of the community in which it is located. The Sunday school at the adjacent church uses the store’s training room for its meetings and local parents may pick up and drop off their children at the adjacent school without incurring charges in Tesco’s car park. The few teething troubles with the instore equipment have been addressed. Digital shelf-edge labelling on lower shelves has been tilted upwards, and lighting glare reduced to make it easier to read prices without bending. The technology updates prices at the press of a computer key.
Other hi-tech options have scored well. A third of customers opt to use the 10 self-scanning tills, with elderly people among the most enthusiastic, according to Hunter.
The panoramic CCTV cameras and security system - which can “focus down to a product’s barcode” - are so efficient they allowed officers to nab a purse-snatcher before the victim knew she’d been robbed.
He is particularly proud of the in-fixture
gaps for cages carrying extra stock. “As a result congestion is not a problem,” he says.
The store’s range, which has risen by 1,000 lines to a total of 20,000, has proved appealing to the area’s catchment, he adds. Nearly half are classified ‘stylish singles’, while one third are elderly people. “About 6% of the population are Jewish,” adds Hunter, “and many tell me that before we arrived they used to have to travel to London to get kosher food.”
The only cloud on an otherwise clear horizon is the opposition by local traders to the conditions Tesco has imposed in its 336-space car park. Part of the chain’s deal with the local authority for planning permission involved the company re-siting a school. The new premises occupy part of what used to be a 100-space pay-and-display car park which has been reduced to 30 spaces.
Nearby traders, especially those in George Street, say this reduction in space, plus the whacking £25 penalty that shoppers must pay if they overshoot the two-hour limit in Tesco’s car park, has robbed them of customers or, at least, stopped them from benefiting from the influx of new shoppers. They argue that two hours does not allow time for a Tesco shop - customers must spend a minimum of £5 in store to use the car park - and the opportunity to browse the local shops.
Talks with local traders are ongoing, says Hunter. “Some tell me their customer numbers are up and we think 99% of our customers are satisfied with the situation as it is.”
He also points out that an extension to the parking time would allow beach lovers, not shoppers, to fill the car park in summer. “And that would not help the local traders any more than it would help us,” he says.
Parking time limit is a blow
Consumer view of shopping Tesco-style
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