Last week Pedigree Chum won a ruling that Supermarkets could only redeem their money off vouchers on tins of pet food against the actual product. It seems that up until last October Tesco had been allowing the redemption of money off coupons against any product, regardless of whether the voucher matched the product being bought. This was brought to light when Pedigree Chum found Tesco's redeeming their vouchers against alcohol purchases and then charging Pedigree Chum for them. They have now said that they will endeavour to ensure this does not happen and have changed company rules re this (thieving!) practise. Seems now the fight is over whether Tesco's can implement a policy of not saving the coupons to send back to the manufacturer as they want to be able to just send a statement of redemption. What nonsense!
Tesco's is always being held up as a success story. Making billions of pounds profit in fact all they may have done is deny the high street the presence of smaller shops that contribute both locally in employment and social cohesion and trade with a passion for their product. With the advent of online ordering and delivery let's hope that rather than having to support such large, ruthless and dishonest (see above) business' we see more choice from smaller, honest and passionate retailers. We have managed to change our shopping habits so that we only get a delivery from online Ocado about once a month with 'staples' (washing up liquid etc.) and buy the rest form small shops on the high street and farmers markets. The net result: our shopping bill has been reduced as we don't waste any over bought food - a practise that supermarket shopping is classic for ensuring, and small shops that care supported.
