Family Swansea business blames Tesco for drop in turnover
A FAMILY newsagent in Swansea has seen a "huge" drop in turnover since supermarket giant Tesco opened its doors just one street away last year.
Greg Hole and his wife Janet have run Uplands Newsagents on Gwydr Square for 15 years.
But the couple have recently felt the impact of the arrival of a Tesco Express store around the corner, on Uplands Crescent.
Mr Hole has now issued a rallying cry to the public to support small, independently-run family businesses.
Tesco states on its website: "We believe our stores help businesses and local communities" and that "people stay in the area to do their shopping and visit other local retailers and services, spending their money locally."
Tesco admits the mix of retailing may alter and some grocery shops may lose business, but other retailers, such as bakers, do well.
Mr Hole said: "I think Tesco gives the customers a choice, which may be good from a customer's point of view, but from a business point of view I don't think it's benefited anybody at all.
"Tesco can negotiate better terms than an individual can.
"If you are a small family business trying to negotiate a lease you will not get the same terms as Tesco, who want a lease for 25 years.
"You can't fight against them, the only thing you can do is work longer hours and hopefully be a little bit more polite."
Mrs Hole said Tesco was often seen as a Mecca for students, but often it was not the cheapest option.
She said: "We have a lot of goods which are, in fact, cheaper than Tesco.
"We have offers every week which they don't have."
Visit our Business in the Bay website
Tesco claims to create between 20 and 30 jobs for every Express store it opens.
It now has three in the space of less than two miles from Gower Road in Sketty down to the Kingsway in Swansea city centre. A fourth is due to open in October as part of a hotel and restaurant scheme in the city's SA1 development.
Mr Hole said: "Once Tesco moves into an area, if people would only support their family businesses it would help them get by rather than taking their business to Tesco."
The newsagent said he now looked to lines such a greeting cards to boost business in the face of competition from chain stores.
He said: "The only thing Tesco doesn't sell is greetings cards.
"We have got a separate department for those which is very busy and people come from all around for greetings cards."
A Tesco spokesman said: "Our experience shows that the opening of a store can bring benefits to other local traders with increased footfall.
"Tesco Express stores create jobs and as they are usually located in the heart of communities, customers will often walk to their local stores which has the added benefit of taking cars off the road."
14 Comments
View all
by mike, gorseinon
Monday, March 08 2010, 11:15PM
“Stop whinging and work harder!!! Hole you have been in business long enough and no doubt have put others out of work over the years. I'd like to have your bank balance. For the record your card stock along with other items are over priced. It's litttle wonder you are loosing business. People think with their wallet these days!!!!”
by Leon, Swansea
Friday, March 05 2010, 5:01PM
“Well done 'Steve' and 'anon'. Taking the article for face value, which is probably not giving the entire story as usual. I have seen this happen with other headlines. Never mind though. I don't agree with the way Tescos handle their suppliers, knowing people who have been in that particular firing line. All the products are supplied by farmers and firms who are stuck firmly under the ever growing thumb of the tescos name. But Steve, anon and anyone who is outwardly negative about small businesses should note that a) often, shop keepers are usually only rude when rude customers provoke them and b) you will soon be crying when tescos truly does knock out all of the competition and then whacks its prices up. But I don't suppose you have thought of that have you? No of course not. Muppets!”
by Student Pete, Uplands
Friday, March 05 2010, 9:07AM
“I agree with anon; whenever I have been in Holes, the people behind the counter (who tend to be gossiping girls more interested in texting than interacting with customers) have been rude and seemingly uninterested in their customers. No point crying when competition comes your way and you do nothing to entice new customers, or keep the ones you already have.”
by Granny Grey, Treboeth
Friday, March 05 2010, 8:18AM
“I wish Tesco or Sainsburys would open up in Treboeth because we can do with a decent local place to shop.
Parking problems are not unique to Tesco. We have several small local shops here where the customers park inconsiderately and indiscriminately causing danger or inconvenience to road users and pedestrians. Their customers litter the area because these shops don't provide bins and shop keepers make no attempt to clean up litter outside their premises.
At least the major retailers make some effort to reduce litter and at keep the area around their premises clean.
Tesco and other major chains provide good customer service, good jobs and are socially responsible.”
by jon, uplands
Friday, March 05 2010, 8:12AM
“Tesco sell a bit of everything, its the independent traders Prerogative to prove they can do it better.
I buy my meat from the market where i get better quality tasting meat cheaper and often more of it.
Pipe tobacco magazines and cards aint the industry it used to be. Moon Pig will take your cards, and you can buy a magazine pretty much anywhere. its harsh but the spar has been there a long time and sell effectivly what tesco do. Go figure.”