From recent lofty thoughts on Rhuthun's craft centre, I'm afraid we now need to turn to the more prosaic. As we approach Tesco's second anniversary, tomorrow we consider the town's post-Tesco balance sheet, but for now...
Tomorrow is the second anniversary of Tesco opening in Rhuthun. Those present at this momentous occasion will recall the cheer as for the first time the shutter rolled up, and the expectant crowd at last was allowed into the shiny new store.
This blog started as a way of marking the effect of Tesco on the town of Rhuthun. And whether we like it or not, Tesco's changed our lives. Tomorrow, we'll consider how the town itself's been affected, by examining the balance sheet, for we said it would take a year before we could come to a conclusion. This was perhaps too short a time. Now, though, we take a look at how Tesco's affected the cost of living.
It was on 10 March 2008 that we looked at the cost of 12 sample, basic items on sale in Tesco, Co-op and the then newly opened B & M Bargains. That was 141 days ago. How have things changed? What conclusions can we draw? Is Tesco cheap, cheaper or not? We again look at the 12 items but we've added five more basics. March 2008 prices are struck through.
New, additional 'every day' purchases:
E&OE
There are several conclusions we can draw. The first is that Tesco's cheaper than the Co-op if not in every case then almost. Direct comparisons aren't always easy as Tesco is notorious for the spacial offer and as one store may sell a product in a different quantity. Adjusting for the latter, Co-op is nearly eight per cent more expensive overall than Tesco, on the 16 sample products in stock, though this percentage may not apply throughout the whole store, of course.
Secondly, some basics, such as bread, vary. The same Warburton's large farmhouse loaf is usually £1.24 in Tesco but on offer at 99p; it's £1.15 in B & M; and £1.29 in Co-op. Another is toilet paper, which is equivalent to 36p per roll in Tesco and 53p in Co-op.
Thirdly, if you have the time or are prepared to shop around, there are bargains to be had. B & M's unknown brand of toilet paper works out at just 17p per roll. Grey import instant coffee is under half-price. McCoy's crisps are up to a third of the price of one of the supermarkets. The problem with B & M is that its range is limited and it relies on run-out stock, so you cannot guarantee a product's in.
Fourthly, it's fair to say that for staple products the difference in price between Tesco and Co-op is perhaps reasonable. The usual price for the bread we compared is four per cent more in Co-op than Tesco; cheese was three per cent more; milk two per cent; beans and Weetabix almost identical. Co-op has done some work to align its everyday products as close as possible to Tesco's benchmark prices. Some will view this as still too expensive, whereas others will wish to support Co-op with its more ethical, fairtrade, socially responsible polices that also return a dividend. Yes, there's more to comparisons than price. But Tesco also scores on the range of products, both grocery and non-grocery.
Tomorrow is the second anniversary of Tesco opening in Rhuthun. Those present at this momentous occasion will recall the cheer as for the first time the shutter rolled up, and the expectant crowd at last was allowed into the shiny new store.This blog started as a way of marking the effect of Tesco on the town of Rhuthun. And whether we like it or not, Tesco's changed our lives. Tomorrow, we'll consider how the town itself's been affected, by examining the balance sheet, for we said it would take a year before we could come to a conclusion. This was perhaps too short a time. Now, though, we take a look at how Tesco's affected the cost of living.
It was on 10 March 2008 that we looked at the cost of 12 sample, basic items on sale in Tesco, Co-op and the then newly opened B & M Bargains. That was 141 days ago. How have things changed? What conclusions can we draw? Is Tesco cheap, cheaper or not? We again look at the 12 items but we've added five more basics. March 2008 prices are struck through.
| Commodity | B&M | Tesco | Co-op |
| Nescafé 200g | |||
| Tuna 3 or 4 can multi | |||
| McCoy's six pack multi | |||
| Duchy Original lemon biscuits 100g | |||
| Branded lemonade 2l | |||
| Blossom Hill white wine 75cl | £3.99 or 3 for £10 (£3.33 ea) | £4.46 | £4.63 |
| Colgate 100ml | |||
| Fairy liquid 500ml (various 'flavours') | |||
| White sliced farmhouse loaf 800g | £ | ||
| Standard toilet roll (12 pack) | |||
| Weetabix 24 biscuits |
| ||
| Sandwich bags (50) |
New, additional 'every day' purchases:
| Commodity | B&M | Tesco | Co-op |
| Milk, 2 pts whole | n/a | 80p (Welsh) 83p (North Wales) | 82p (Welsh) |
| Heinz Baked Beans, 4 can pack | £1.09 (Branston) | 1.99 | £1.99 |
| Mild cheddar per kg | n/a | £4.47 (Value) or £5.92 | £4.58 |
| McVities Milk Chocolate Digestives 400g | 65p for 300g (22p per 100g) | £1.28 (or £2.20 for 2 (28p per 100g) | £1.49 (38p per 100g) |
| Walls 8 thick port sausages | n/a | £2.05 | £1.99 |
E&OE
There are several conclusions we can draw. The first is that Tesco's cheaper than the Co-op if not in every case then almost. Direct comparisons aren't always easy as Tesco is notorious for the spacial offer and as one store may sell a product in a different quantity. Adjusting for the latter, Co-op is nearly eight per cent more expensive overall than Tesco, on the 16 sample products in stock, though this percentage may not apply throughout the whole store, of course.
Secondly, some basics, such as bread, vary. The same Warburton's large farmhouse loaf is usually £1.24 in Tesco but on offer at 99p; it's £1.15 in B & M; and £1.29 in Co-op. Another is toilet paper, which is equivalent to 36p per roll in Tesco and 53p in Co-op.
Thirdly, if you have the time or are prepared to shop around, there are bargains to be had. B & M's unknown brand of toilet paper works out at just 17p per roll. Grey import instant coffee is under half-price. McCoy's crisps are up to a third of the price of one of the supermarkets. The problem with B & M is that its range is limited and it relies on run-out stock, so you cannot guarantee a product's in.
Fourthly, it's fair to say that for staple products the difference in price between Tesco and Co-op is perhaps reasonable. The usual price for the bread we compared is four per cent more in Co-op than Tesco; cheese was three per cent more; milk two per cent; beans and Weetabix almost identical. Co-op has done some work to align its everyday products as close as possible to Tesco's benchmark prices. Some will view this as still too expensive, whereas others will wish to support Co-op with its more ethical, fairtrade, socially responsible polices that also return a dividend. Yes, there's more to comparisons than price. But Tesco also scores on the range of products, both grocery and non-grocery.
Tags:
Tesco