What a fascinating front page piece in the Irish Times today.
Are we now witnessing 'Tescoization' following Globalization. The Irish Times report suggests the range and volume of traditional Irish brands is to be cut from Tesco shelves. If so, this may be a really interesting by-product of the current tide of RoI domestic spending flowing into NI.
I wonder how some will respond to a large [English] multi-national company shuffling out iconic Irish brands. We know how many in Northern Ireland respond to perceived erosion of Britishness.
The Irish Times say it understands that Tesco is engaged in an experiment to test how loyal Irish shoppers are as they pursue value for money. Hitherto Irish shoppers have been considered to be more brand conscious than their British counterparts. This all comes only a few months after Finance Minister Brian Lenihan questioned the patriotism of shoppers flooding North and Norn Iron Deputy First Minister responded forthrightly.
Meanwhile, to add to the mix, my good friend Andy Pike UK Consul and NI rep in New York tells me he was at a St George's Society dinner a week last Friday when Tesco CEO Sir Terry Leahy was one of the honourees and his first remarks were drawing attention to his Irishness (he was born in Liverpool of Irish parents, I think)
Watch this space...!
Meanwhile I am off to New York for a few days midweek, where many of my friends love a good cup of Barry's Tea!!
Hmmm, Mark, you know, perhaps the English make better tea than the Irish! Why do you talk as if we are part of Ireland and the rest of the UK is a foreign country?
ReplyDeleteDavid,
ReplyDeleteI am a proud Ulsterman and in particular love my Punjana Tea (by the Thompson family), Nambarie Tea (albeit owned by Twinnings) and my speciality Suki Tea from the Shankill Road.
The point was not parochial and certainly not political, it was to say that big Global organisations can and do have a profound effect on our local landscape. Norn Iron and RoI companies have to be innovative and competitive at the same time. Even when they are, the big buyers can just wipe them out at the stroke of a pen.
MJF
I was introduced to Punjana Tea by a friend married to an Ulsterman. It is now my daytime tea. I was fortunate to buy a large stock on special offer at Tesco in Slough last year. I hope I am not going to have problems in the future ?
ReplyDeleteAt night I drink Whittards Spice Imperial with milk and am hooked.
Tea what a marvelously civilised drink !
Mal