How to use a headline grabbing claim

After a nasty street riot in Bristol, Ed Miliband decided a nice "Enough Tescos" soundbite would get him a little coverage in the national media.

"Local people should have more say over what happens on their high streets," he said, promising a policy review. He knows that some people fear that all high streets look the same. On the other hand, Tesco has not achieved a 30 per cent market share by enslaving people. Shoppers generally vote with their feet and choose to shop at Tesco.

However, at the same time the FT dusted down and published a report from the Institute of Government that showed that academics rate the minimum wage as the most successful policy introduced by government in the past 30 years. The smoking ban comes 10th on the list, behind devolution, privatisation and the Northern Irish peace process. And just ahead of free museum entry and free bus passes.

What are the strengths of the minimum wage? A low starting level and because it makes it easer to pay in-work benefits to ensure that low-paid work is worthwhile.

What makes for good policies? Something that is planned carefully and not knee jerk. Start small and build up. Independent shopkeepers in Mr Miliband's constituency should visit his surgery and see if he can build his remarks into something more worthwhile. Be quick. Tesco has probably already invited him out for lunch to help shape the policy review.

Comments

Three secrets of great merchandising

Look at the ceiling and top wall of this McDonalds restaurant. There is a picture of two good looking healthy people having fun and some bright primary colours. Ask yourself what is the purpose of this picture? In the latest issue of Retail Newsagent in a feature on merchandising, Andrew Knight of RI tells its independent readers that they need to think about using sharp pictures of non-packaged products linked to people consuming goods. Perhaps this has been taken to the next level by the fast food chain - that is selling the feeling of being happy and healthy rather than the products. A second, related tip from the same feature is made by most contributors - it is vital to keep windows clean and clear of clutter. "I believe that less is more," says Roli Ranger, a retailer from Ascot, Berkshire. He has posters for promotions in between the windows that are regularly updated and discreet signs in the windows. Third, a highly visible well-stocked promotion at the entranc

Overcoming a price disadvantage

Planning for his speech at the Independent Achievers Academy last week, Theo Paphitis asked an assistant to buy a basket of six essentials from a Tesco, a Londis (independent operator in a symbol group) and a One Stop (Tesco's CTN/convenience chain). Tesco was cheapest by a big margin. Second came Londis. The most expensive was One Stop. Mr Paphitis understands the power of the supermarkets and he says the way to counter them is to focus on how to make the experience of shopping with you more relevant to shoppers or more enjoyable for them. John Heynan, sales director of Molson Coors, told Retail Newsagent at about the same time that occasional beer buyers will pay 13 per cent more for their beer in an independent convenience store, provided the retailer targets them appropriately. Tesco has carved itself out this 13 per cent head start. Looking at pricing, if Tesco is 100, then Tesco Express is 108, One Stop is 112, a good symbol group is 115 and non-affiliated independents

A sign of retail stress perhaps

It must have been four months since this window was broken in the Tesco Express on Pentonville Road and I simply cannot believe that it has not been fixed. This is the sort of lack of focus that independent shops usually get criticised for. The only purpose in sharing this image is to encourage those independents with high standards who are finding the going tough that they can do better than this.

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