Tesco now controls over 30% of the grocery market in the UK. In 2008, the supermarket chain announced £2.8 billion in profits. Growing evidence indicates that Tesco's success is partly based on trading practices that are having serious consequences for suppliers, farmers and workers worldwide, local shops and the environment. Read our demands

Take Action

Order some of our new Tescopoly campaign postcards to support the Competition Commission's recommendation for a new supermarket watchdog.

NEWS ROUND-UP

"Every Worker Counts" - Unite launches national demonstrations outside Tesco stores
Unite has launched a campaign to alert Tesco customers to the union's concerns about the treatment of workers employed by companies in the UK supply chain that produces meat for Tesco stores. Launched by Unite's Joint General Secretary, Tony Woodley, on 27th November 2008, Unite's message to Tesco is that: "Every Worker Counts". The demonstrations mark the beginning of an ongoing campaign, calling for justice for workers employed by companies operating in Tesco's UK meat supply chain. For more information on the campaign please see the Unite website.

Farmers and suppliers speak out about Tesco's bullying tactics
According to an investigation by Farmers Weekly  producers have come forward to accuse Tesco of asking for up-front payments, loans to bolster profits and changes to contract terms in a bid to cut fresh produce prices and compete with budget stores. The Farmers Weekly investigation was published the same week as the President of the UK National Farmers' Union said that retailers, led by Tesco, must show responsibility to their suppliers by halting their "bully boy tactics".

No Mill Road - success as planning inspector dismisses Tesco's appeal
Cambridge City Council rejected Tesco's application for an extension and installation of refridgeration equipment but Tesco appealed against the refusal of planning permission. At the start of October a four-day hearing was held and now the Planning Inspector has dismissed both of Tesco's appeals concluding that the servicing options for the store would "pose unacceptable risks to highway safety". For more information please see an article in the Cambridge News, 12th November 2008 and for a history of the campaign please see the campaign case study.

Tesco to challenge Sheringham decision
Tesco has announced that it plans to challenge the planning inspectors decision to refuse its application for a new store in the town. This means the case will now be heard at the High Court. In September, a government planning inspector announced that she had upheld an earlier decision to turn down plans for the new store. The decision follows a 3-week hearing in July. In her ruling, the inspector said the "vitality, viability and retail function" of the town would be harmed if the development went ahead. For further information please see an article in North Norfolk News, 8th September 2008 and read the campaign case study. To see the decision in full go to the planning inspectorate website 

For further information on Tesco's challenge please see the Eastern Daily Press, 21st October 2008 and North Norfolk News, 22nd October.

Tesco reports steady profits rise
On 30th September, Tesco announced group profit before tax of £1.43 bn, an 11.3% increase on last year. Please see an article at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7643415.stm for more details.