Tesco Town is British slang for an area where one retailer has large market share. Although the term references the Tesco chain of stores, it can be used to describe any area dominated by one particular retailer.[1]
In October 2009 the Competition Commission passed its proposal for a "competition test" on to the Department for Communities and Local Government. The test would ban from adding more space in an area, which it says will improve choice for shoppers by making it easier for rival grocers to open.[2]
Towns dominated by Tesco
Bedford
Bedford has been described as a Tesco town with the town having a Tesco for every 7,500 people.[3]
Bicester
Bicester is one of the UK's best known Tesco-towns, operating five stores in a region with a population of 29,000. Featuring a Tesco superstore on the southern side of town, near the Bicester Village designer outlet, and a further four Tesco Express stores around the general neighbourhood and community areas.[4]
Aldi and Lidl have also opened stores in the town recently.
In January 2015, Tesco announced the closure of their Tesco Metro store in Bicester, located directly opposite a Sainsbury's superstore.[5]
See also
- Criticism of Tesco
- Monopoly
References
- Lorna Martin. The supermarket that ate a town The Observer, 1 January 2006, retrieved 2009-10-06^
- Andrea Felstas. Competition watchdog proposes curbs on spread of 'Tesco towns' Financial Times, October 3, 2009, retrieved 2009-10-06^
- Bedfordshire onsunday has closed