Good ol'Tesco (Tesco)

Member Name: pinkspider

Product:	Tesco
Date:	21/08/08 (42 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: clean, friendly, well laid out

Disadvantages: limied range, generally a few pennies dearer

The Tesco 'experience' seems to vary somewhat from day to day, town to town. But in general, they seem to have got it right.

Their adverts are punchy and catchy and in my opinion, certainly make you take notice - even if it is just to place the celebrity voice over.

You know the brand from a mile off - that somewhat dull looking blue and red. Love it or loath it - it's Tesco.

Here in Norwich we have a multitude of different Tesco stores on offer from the huge Tesco Extra to the numerous Tesco Metros which seem to be popping up all over the place.

The experiences are definitely different depending on where you go:

- Tesco Extra:
The Norwich Tesco Extra is a very light and spacey warehouse type affair which is always kept neat and tidy and feels quite inviting with it's clearly defined layout and logical progression from one product area to another.
The staff are always accommodating and willing to help, whether that be pointing you in the correct direction or sorting out a more complex query.
The products are always neatly and helpfully displayed and I very rarely struggle to find a product - even after one of their regular reshuffles.
On the whole, bar the occasional odd spillage gone unnoticed it is a pleasant experience - my only gripe would be the manners of the customers, but that's not a fault on Tesco.

- So, now we get to the numerous Tesco Metros and a somewhat different feel:
I can't help but feel, whenever I wander into a Tesco Metro, that the staff aren't all that bothered. The shops and employees seem to operate (and quite rightly so in some ways considering their position and purpose) on speed and bulk rather than customer experience and quality.
Shelves are often bare of stock and stock that is available is often knocked or tattered in some way - I should think due to the amount of rushed paws that pass over it.
The floors and other surfaces tend to look a bit worse for ware and the atmosphere in general is one of 'Hurry up and buy what you want, then leave'.
It would be wrong of me, though, to say I don't appreciate these smaller stores dotted around the Norwich area. They're fantastically convenient and I pop in almost every day on my way to or from work to pick up a bit of fruit and so on.

Actually shopping experiences aside, I should also mention the pricing and quality of the products in general:
I will make it clear, firstly, that I prefer Tesco compared to Asda merely for the 'experience' - it's not quite as hectic or rude but the pricing and range of product does seem to differ quite substantially.
Certain ranges, such as the pet food/care seem to be lacking in Tesco, even in the Extra - when compared to Asda. This is not to say that they don't excel on certain ranges as well! Tesco's Finest range will always out do Asda's equivalent.
Price wise, it's difficult to compare - Asda seems to be cheaper for the every day essential whereas Tesco tends to be cheaper for life's little luxuries.

I feel I should summarise before I write too much more so:
I show a preference to Tesco when it comes to service and quality of product but Asda tends to outshine when it comes to range and price.

Summary: No contest for customer service and store quality although prepare to pay more for the basics