What about Tesco’s (and other retailers) strategy of selling wine at “half price”? These are often stacked high inside the door and presented as a bargain.Example would be McGuigan (Oz white) for sale at €7.99 reduced from €15.99. Problem is that this wine was NEVER on sale for €15.99. A way of getting people to part with their cash because they think they are getting a bargain. This practise is illegal and I’m sure that the margin on this wine at “half price” is possibly even better than others at full price.

I have just given up completely on Tesco. I no longer shop there and I must say, shopping is a far more relaxing experience as a result. It’s only when you have been away from it for a while that you realise how aggresive their in store marketing is. Also, and this was a purely personal thing, the voice of the Essex girl on from self service area asking me had I swiped my club card used to make me grind my teeth.

What I’d like is an end to the whole 3 for 2, or buy 3 and the cheapest is free, system that all the big shops use to sell their Christmas gifts. It used to cause me immense stress until I realised that I only want one thing and will only get one, and to hell with value and trying to choose three. But I’m surrounded in the shops by people struggling to find one more bearable thing and their fretfulness is catching.

I happen to KNOW–not suspect–that Tesco are systematically raising the prices of non-Christmassy items in the run-up toTurkey Day. By chance, I’m slightly acquainted with a “systems manager” who’d been given a list of @ 800 items to mark up over 2 days. But before you attack your local store manager, remember that these orders come direct from Head Office, and the local managers and staff have no choice.

Mise – you’re not the only one who’d like to see an end to the ‘threefors’ or BOGOFS (buy one get one free) promotions. Most suppliers, especially smaller suppliers into the big chains would like to see these go too, as they’re essentially ‘asked’ by Tesco et al to financially support these instore promotions, at significant cost. Many smaller suppliers simply cannot, at risk of delisting or at best reduced shelf space. The net effect may be a temproarily reduced price for the consumer, but an eroding of choice in the longer term – and of jobs, very many of them local. It’s a false economy, the only beneficiary is Tesco. Get your hands on ‘Tescopoly’ a disturbing read for any consumer.

The only way to get real value for money in Ireland is to shop local. There is great value to be found in your local supermarket as they fight hard to keep your custom. They also provide employment and donations in your community. It really does pay to shop local. Dont forget it now costs 3.5% more to travel due to the increase in duty on both petrol and diesel. Add this cost to the shopping bill along with 6.5% for depreciation and maintenance for your vehicle. When you take these into account you will find saving 5 for 10 euro by travelling out of your own town to shop is not really saving you money.