Store wars after Tesco opens (From Oxford Mail)
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Store wars after Tesco opens
12:00pm Wednesday 1st February 2012 in Abingdon By Ben Wilkinson
Abingdon store owner Rahini Vairamuttu
A couple who run a corner shop are suffering a worrying sense of deja vu now Tesco has moved into a neighbouring former pub.
Sritharan and Rahini Vairamuttu, who own the Best-One convenience store in Oxford Road, Abingdon, said they had to close a shop in Highgate, London, just months after a Tesco Express opened three doors down.
Now, after suffering a 40 per cent fall in takings less than two weeks after the supermarket giant opened in the former Ox pub, they said they may be forced to shut another business.
The couple took over running Best-One a year ago, but believe it is impossible to compete against the supermarket chain.
Mr Vairamuttu said: “I feel really disgusted. We are trying to keep surviving. Normally we would have a customer every five to 10 minutes, now we have to wait half an hour.”
The 42-year-old father-of-two, from Woodstock, said he would give the business three or four months before making a decision on whether to shut.
He closed his store in Highgate in 2004, two months after a Tesco Express opened three doors down.
He invested £60,000 in the Abingdon store before it opened a year ago.
His wife Rahani added: “It is not fair. But we have to fight with them.”
Tesco spokesman Simon Petar said the new store had created 24 jobs in the town.
He added: “We are proud to be serving the local community, providing additional choice and value. We are very pleased with the response from customers.”
When Tesco announced plans to turn the pub into an Express store last July more than 200 residents signed a petition against the bid.
Planning permission is not needed to convert a pub into a shop.
Paul Townsend, president of Abingdon Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is a real shame that a company like Tesco can just walk in and do what they want and put somebody else completely out of business. He (Mr Vairamuttu) has done a fantastic job on that shop.”
Abingdon Town Council member Angela Lawrence said many councillors and residents had concerns over the increase in traffic the new Tesco would bring. She is now campaigning to change planning law to make council approval essential.
She said: “It’s not to say pubs should not be turned into shops, but we should have a say locally.”
Tesco also has a supermarket in Marcham Road and another Express store in the old Fitzharris Arms pub in Thornhill Walk, off Wootton Road.
Comments(35)
colbart
says...
12:48pm Wed 1 Feb 12
Lady Penelopee
says...
12:57pm Wed 1 Feb 12
colbart wrote:A surcharge on card payments would certainly put me off doing much shopping there! I tend to only carry £10 cash.
Many people I know have commented to me that things they don't stock in Best-One can be found in Tesco, (have they done their homework and looked)?. Although the Best-One sells 'unique' items like Gas, they are let down by having a surcharge for Debit/Credit cards passed on/back to the customer.
Do they ask their customers if they found everything they were looking for?
Dilligaf2010
says...
1:08pm Wed 1 Feb 12
Perhaps they should now look towards a different type of store, although I guess a large percentage of people open corner shops because they basically run themselves, and need little in the way of retail knowledge.
simplicissimus
says...
2:17pm Wed 1 Feb 12
colbart wrote:£10 gas canister deposit, you mean, discounted upon next purchase, and presumably refunded when sound empties are returned?
Many people I know have commented to me that things they don't stock in Best-One can be found in Tesco, (have they done their homework and looked)?. Although the Best-One sells 'unique' items like Gas, they are let down by having a surcharge for Debit/Credit cards passed on/back to the customer.
simplicissimus
says...
2:29pm Wed 1 Feb 12
Dilligaf2010 wrote:Dilligaf2010 wrote:
It's not always about what products are available, although having a wider range is obviously an advantage, there's always customer service, availability of stocked items, speed of checkout, oh, and of course price.
Perhaps they should now look towards a different type of store, although I guess a large percentage of people open corner shops because they basically run themselves, and need little in the way of retail knowledge.
"I guess a large percentage of people open corner shops because they basically run themselves, and need little in the way of retail knowledge."
You sound like one of the less astute city councillors, and must be pretty gormless from comments like that. Bet you've never run as much, commercially, as a whelk stand.
Best shut up, unless you seek to make a greater fool of yourself, pickledDilli.
Ab Boy
says...
2:31pm Wed 1 Feb 12
I will now always go to Tesco as its easy to park rather than a bus lane with room for one or two cars on a busy main road.
Also I have been in BEST-ONE and on at least 7/8 occasions the person serving behind the counter have been on the phone talking in their own language (NO PROBLEM AT ALL) but they served me without stopping their call, never even spoke to me other than how much I owed them, and not even a thank you once they gave me my change
It was if I wasnt even there!!!
If they have a bit of competition then stop moaning and do something about it and offer a service that would make people want to go in the shop!!
thomashenry
says...
3:04pm Wed 1 Feb 12
godzilla
says...
3:31pm Wed 1 Feb 12
Dilligaf2010
says...
3:38pm Wed 1 Feb 12
simplicissimus wrote:I have run businesses actually, successful too.
Dilligaf2010 wrote:Dilligaf2010 wrote:
It's not always about what products are available, although having a wider range is obviously an advantage, there's always customer service, availability of stocked items, speed of checkout, oh, and of course price.
Perhaps they should now look towards a different type of store, although I guess a large percentage of people open corner shops because they basically run themselves, and need little in the way of retail knowledge.
"I guess a large percentage of people open corner shops because they basically run themselves, and need little in the way of retail knowledge."
You sound like one of the less astute city councillors, and must be pretty gormless from comments like that. Bet you've never run as much, commercially, as a whelk stand.
Best shut up, unless you seek to make a greater fool of yourself, pickledDilli.
Why do you feel the need to insult people all the time because you disagree with their comments, perhaps you use the pseudonym you do because you have limited intelligence?
LORD PETE MCVEY OX2 6EG
says...
5:24pm Wed 1 Feb 12
iklhik
says...
5:47pm Wed 1 Feb 12
Sadly a lot of corner shops don't have good service. The ones that do, generally thrive.
The New Realist
says...
6:39pm Wed 1 Feb 12
Bart_Simpson1
says...
7:05pm Wed 1 Feb 12
LORD PETE MCVEY OX2 6EG
says...
7:40pm Wed 1 Feb 12
The New Realist wrote:It is because of people like you that Tesco do so well. The planners do not believe your prediction of a 21st century holocaust anymore. Best you start on McD's or Coke now. Or even better still, stop your prejudice and allow thing to pan out as they should.
Tesco is trying to take over the western world, the 3rd reich of the 21st century. No one will be safe unless we can comply.
Dilligaf2010
says...
8:23pm Wed 1 Feb 12
They were considerably smaller then, but I think they've had one or two satisfied customers over the years, which is why they're still in business, and getting bigger.
I'm just guessing, but I bet those people that are anti Tesco, don't kick up as much fuss about Microsoft, or Apple, and probably use their products, even though they're much larger, and continue to expand.
simplicissimus
says...
10:16pm Wed 1 Feb 12
Dilligaf2010 wrote:Limited, like all people's, but maybe less than someone's who has not run a corner shop successfully, I wager. Nor a whelk stall. What line of business were or are you in, we wonder.
simplicissimus wrote:I have run businesses actually, successful too.
Dilligaf2010 wrote:Dilligaf2010 wrote:
It's not always about what products are available, although having a wider range is obviously an advantage, there's always customer service, availability of stocked items, speed of checkout, oh, and of course price.
Perhaps they should now look towards a different type of store, although I guess a large percentage of people open corner shops because they basically run themselves, and need little in the way of retail knowledge.
"I guess a large percentage of people open corner shops because they basically run themselves, and need little in the way of retail knowledge."
You sound like one of the less astute city councillors, and must be pretty gormless from comments like that. Bet you've never run as much, commercially, as a whelk stand.
Best shut up, unless you seek to make a greater fool of yourself, pickledDilli.
Why do you feel the need to insult people all the time because you disagree with their comments, perhaps you use the pseudonym you do because you have limited intelligence?
Dilligaf2010
says...
11:55pm Wed 1 Feb 12
simplicissimus wrote:I ran a successful international entertainment business for over 20 years, was driving a Mercedes at 25, also had a Phone & Computer shop in Market Square in Chippenham.
Dilligaf2010 wrote:Limited, like all people's, but maybe less than someone's who has not run a corner shop successfully, I wager. Nor a whelk stall. What line of business were or are you in, we wonder.
simplicissimus wrote:I have run businesses actually, successful too.
Dilligaf2010 wrote:Dilligaf2010 wrote:
It's not always about what products are available, although having a wider range is obviously an advantage, there's always customer service, availability of stocked items, speed of checkout, oh, and of course price.
Perhaps they should now look towards a different type of store, although I guess a large percentage of people open corner shops because they basically run themselves, and need little in the way of retail knowledge.
"I guess a large percentage of people open corner shops because they basically run themselves, and need little in the way of retail knowledge."
You sound like one of the less astute city councillors, and must be pretty gormless from comments like that. Bet you've never run as much, commercially, as a whelk stand.
Best shut up, unless you seek to make a greater fool of yourself, pickledDilli.
Why do you feel the need to insult people all the time because you disagree with their comments, perhaps you use the pseudonym you do because you have limited intelligence?
I was successful because I provided what people wanted, and offered exceptional customer service.
Does that answer your question?
simplicissimus
says...
1:14am Thu 2 Feb 12
Most impressive, D2010. My apology.
Why do you belittle retail in corner shops, given your outlet in Wilts., though? It takes work and long hours to become a successful small shopkeeper, but your post suggested otherwise.
Dilligaf2010
says...
9:24am Thu 2 Feb 12
simplicissimus wrote:Apology accepted :)
So was right about the whelk stall.
Most impressive, D2010. My apology.
Why do you belittle retail in corner shops, given your outlet in Wilts., though? It takes work and long hours to become a successful small shopkeeper, but your post suggested otherwise.
I wasn't belittling small shopkeepers as a whole, I still buy from some independent retailers, rather than the big chains, because they know their stuff.
The point I was trying to make, was that selling basic food items etc., in a corner shop, doesn't require an in-depth knowledge of the products, because we all know what they are, and what we want, so virtually anybody could do it, if they were willing to put in the hours.
If somebody, that had a store of this type, needed to switch to a different line of retail, they probably wouldn't be able to, because they wouldn't have sufficient knowledge of the products to offer the customer service expected.
colbart
says...
10:17am Thu 2 Feb 12
Darkforbid
says...
11:02am Thu 2 Feb 12
international entertainment
business for over 20 years,
was driving a Mercedes at 25,
also had a Phone &
Computer shop in Market
Square in Chippenham.
I was successful because I
provided what people wanted,
and offered exceptional
customer service.
Does that answer your
question?┄
Not really because in that 20 years, apparently you made so little money you've ended up in a one bedroom flat with a life paid for by tax payer's... Yet you still think you can give brilliant business advice, and be critical of those struggling in today's retail environment with stupid 'runs itself' comments...
Dilligaf2010
says...
11:22am Thu 2 Feb 12
Darkforbid wrote:You don't know anything about me, or what lead me to be living in a one bedroom flat on benefits, so I suggest you keep quiet.
┄I ran a successful
international entertainment
business for over 20 years,
was driving a Mercedes at 25,
also had a Phone &
Computer shop in Market
Square in Chippenham.
I was successful because I
provided what people wanted,
and offered exceptional
customer service.
Does that answer your
question?┄
Not really because in that 20 years, apparently you made so little money you've ended up in a one bedroom flat with a life paid for by tax payer's... Yet you still think you can give brilliant business advice, and be critical of those struggling in today's retail environment with stupid 'runs itself' comments...
If you're so clever, pull your head out of your a**e and make something of yourself, instead of condoning crime, committing crimes, and criticising others who are far more intelligent than you, and have are more of a benefit to society than you.
You really are a despicable little man, and will always remain so.
Lady Penelopee
says...
3:51pm Thu 2 Feb 12
Darkforbid wrote:Given you have no idea how events went from A to B, it's unfair to critisize.
┄I ran a successful international entertainment business for over 20 years, was driving a Mercedes at 25, also had a Phone & Computer shop in Market Square in Chippenham. I was successful because I provided what people wanted, and offered exceptional customer service. Does that answer your question?┄ Not really because in that 20 years, apparently you made so little money you've ended up in a one bedroom flat with a life paid for by tax payer's... Yet you still think you can give brilliant business advice, and be critical of those struggling in today's retail environment with stupid 'runs itself' comments...
Besides, you don't have to be rich to have a good idea on what makes a business successful.
By the sounds of it, listening to their customers would be a good start.
Bogdan The MeerKat
says...
5:47pm Thu 2 Feb 12
Darkforbid
says...
7:41pm Thu 2 Feb 12
involves the usual culprits
hurling insults and generally
behaving like children.┄
Wer, release the child within is what make life fun. Oh yes, back on subject which is a story about a business owner facing shutting his shop for the second time, for the same reason
┄I guess a
large percentage of people
open corner shops because
they basically run
themselves, and need little in
the way of retail knowledge.┄
Or should she just put: f-them
RJOxford
says...
7:51pm Thu 2 Feb 12
I very rarely post opinions on this website nowadays because of the remarks made, which in many cases is the kind of thing I would expect to see on the Daily Mail's website.
shipscat
says...
10:02pm Thu 2 Feb 12
RJOxford wrote:Could not agree more sadly trolling seems to be a way of life for many. On the subject Best One was doomed the moment the Ox closed sad but thats life.
It's pathetic, the remarks on here. Consistently over any and every story. Mainly by people that have nothing better to do. I very rarely post opinions on this website nowadays because of the remarks made, which in many cases is the kind of thing I would expect to see on the Daily Mail's website.
Darkforbid
says...
1:50pm Fri 3 Feb 12
man, and will always remain so.---
I hope despicable enough, to be terminated list D2010...
Darkforbid
says...
4:20pm Fri 3 Feb 12
Abberdon
says...
12:24pm Sat 4 Feb 12
It was a bit grim during Mr Patel's era but the new owners gave it a real facelift and have been very friendly to we locals.
I had probably the last beer at the Ox, and was quite upset when it closed. I am not impressed with the greed of TESCO or their modus operandi, which involves squeezing out small players in their search for growth.
I recognise TESCOs right to compete with small fry, and grind them into dust but really!, is this how we want to be treated by massive corporations?
Apparently so, but then, how can their be any complaint when every boozer turns into a Weatherspoons, every cafe a McDonalds, every shop a TESCO and so on?
It's about 'scale', and 'being reasonable', neither of which are considerations within the capitalist free market paradigm.
But then, neither are people.
Only 'consumers' count.
Are you a 'consumer' or a person with a (tenuous grip on a) job?
I suspect the latter.
oxfordborn
says...
6:11pm Sat 4 Feb 12
oxfordborn
says...
6:11pm Sat 4 Feb 12
faatmaan
says...
6:07pm Sun 5 Feb 12
Ab Boy
says...
4:40pm Mon 6 Feb 12
Why do you think these shops go out of business??
Their prices and service are not good enough and if you think that a bit of competition is bad you must be made!!!
If Tesco's put their price up, go somewhere else for goods sake!!!!!
The Budgens around my way have had to cut their prices which has happened because they now have competition!!
So the winner is the customer
Get off your high horse and stop being stupid about large chains taking over the world, see the bigger picture!!!!
As I said on an earlier comment, the shop BEST-ONE service and price were awful, its no good crying now, they should have thought that when they had no other competition!!!
Lady Penelopee says...
12:32pm Wed 1 Feb 12
Mr Vairamuttu needs to find his niche and play to his strengths rather than moaning about a nearby Tesco.
Obviously people will initially go to Tesco to see what it has to offer, but Mr Vairamuttu needs to entice customers back.