Tesco wants to put a store on Cheltenham Road in the old Jesters building. I think this is bad news for the area check out these sites for more info -
http://www.tescopoly.org/
Facebook Group
Vote with your cash is a nonsense - those who have the most money have the largest impact, those with the least cash have fewer choices. There is little basis for expecting ethical outcomes given this set-up precisely because it awards power to those that already have it. In fact our version of democracy is a (flawed) attempt to overcome 'vote with your money' which is nothing more than a re-enforcement of the status quo.
There are alternatives which provide cheaper, better quality, more ethical groceries - food co-ops, local veg boxes. Not an answer for everyone but better than offering Tesco as a panacea.
Supermarkets aggressively target local shops - they go there with clip boards and collect lists of the goods stocked and their prices. They then run these specific goods at a discount in the nearest store in a direct attempt to put others out of business. This was the direct experience of the health food store on the Clifton Triangle some years back. He chased them out of his store on numerous occasions.
Once the competition was shut down the organic section of the supermarket opposite shrank to allow for more profitable lines. So overall there was a loss of competition and choice.
If anywhere can remain Tesco free then it's Stokes Croft. Especially if folks are prepared to reduce the store's profit margins thought a bit of non-violent direct action.
