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Supermarket sweep
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| Lots of choice - the sites of existing supermarkets, and the proposed new site for Waitrose. Graphic: TREVOR JOHNSON |
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Towards the end of last year The Soil Association published its latest organic shopping survey on supermarket food.
While it gave no indication of what percentage of food bought in supermarkets was organic, it did show there has been a concerted effort by all supermarkets to increase the amount sourced via UK farmers.
It also showed that Waitrose was up near the top - if not the top - of what are considered the eight organic staple foods.
This is all the more pertinent for north Essex, because it looks as though Waitrose is heading for Colchester.
Waitrose may be playing everything very close to its chest, but that has not dulled speculation. Those in the know, though, hint it is more than speculation.
With Colchester Council leader Robert Davidson "delighted they are showing so much interest", and the chamber of commerce insisting it is "good news" for the town, then perhaps there really will be an announcement in the next few weeks confirming Waitrose is setting up shop at the former GlynWebb store on the corner of St Andrew's Avenue and Ipswich Road.
This really would make Colchester supermarket city. The borough may have a growing population - 177,000 and rising - but does the town need so many major players in such a relatively small area - Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, East of England Co-op, Aldi and, very relevant with Waitrose about to hoist its colours, Marks and Spencer?
Yet all those supermarkets have no problems turning around big profits from each of their Colchester stores.
In fact, Tesco and Sainsbury's wouldn't mind adding to their total in north Essex.
But an "outsider", not one which is already established in the area and one with a reputation for aiming at the top end of the market, could just upset the dynamics.
Waitrose is the "outsider", but upset the dynamics? Tesco and Asda think not.
Both supermarkets insist they "cater for all demographics", and are not fazed by the potential appearance of this, the upmarket supermarket. Which isn't surprising.
Asda is aiming to be "Britain's best-value" supermarket - giving people what they want at a reasonable price and not forgetting the good service.
"It does not matter if we have no competitors per town or four or five," stressed Asda's property communications manager, Tom McGarry.
"We would deliver on providing excellent service and goods."
Asda boasts 20 million UK customers a week. In Colchester, the total runs into thousands. That means 400-plus staff and a range of goods from Smart Price to Extra Special.
It likes to think it caters for everyone; it certainly isn't afraid of the competition.
Neither is Tesco. Michael Kissman, the store's corporate affairs manager, pointed out Tesco is "continually reassessing" the business, and is "always aware" of the competition.
"If we do hear that Waitrose is opening a store in Colchester, we would not suddenly change our operational policies," he said.
"We will continue to give the best service and value we can - that is what we always do."
Colchester has two Tesco stores. Between them, they employ more than 1,000 people; it is that big an operation. But Tesco is laid-back. It can't see itself losing sleep - or customers - to Waitrose.
Whether or not the East of England Co-op - which has 135 stores across north Essex and two big supermarkets in Colchester - will lose sleep or customers is unknown. Press spokesman Miriam Harrup said it "would prefer not to comment".
Sainsbury's did not get back when it said it would, and Marks and Spencer - probably the store which will be affected the most - refused point blank to speculate about "a competitor".
It was the only store to use that word. Maybe it does see a fight coming.
MARKS AND SPENCER v WAITROSE?
The UK organic food and drink sales now top more than £1.5 billion.
The Soil Association says this is a growing, lucrative market, one has been led for the past few years by Waitrose.
While Marks and Spencer now jointly heads the UK-sourced table with Waitrose - 89 per cent of their organic produce is home-grown - it is Waitrose which initially led the way.
Currently, Marks and Spencer in north Essex - with its emphasis on organic and the top end of the food market - does not have too much competition. But this could change if Waitrose opens a store on the GlynWebb site.
WHERE DO YOU SHOP?
The Gazette would like to know where you do your weekly/monthly supermarket shop - and why you choose that particular supermarket.
It could be because the checkouts are fast, car parking is straightforward, special offers really are special offers, the fresh produce is always high-quality and reasonably priced, the loss leaders are on things you want to buy, the basics range extends to more than just baked beans and the service comes with a smile.
Or is it simply because it is the nearest one to your home?
Send your comments by e-mail to iris.clapp@nqe.com, post them in the comment box below this story, or write to Iris Clapp, Gazette, Oriel House, 43-44 North Hill, Colchester CO1 1TZ.
9:50am Tuesday 29th April 2008
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