Business
Chamber Calls on Tesco to Support Local
The gov has also been challenged to support local producers on its own sites
The Chamber of Commerce has called on Tesco to use its ‘unique position’ to lead the way and show an ‘unparalleled commitment’ to the Isle of Man by supporting local producers.
In the week since it was announced that the Nicholson family was selling Shoprite to Tesco there have been concerns raised over what this means for Manx businesses.
The open letter to Tesco and Chief Minister Alf Cannan says that Tesco has a unique position to lead the way on supporting local and called on the gov to support local producers too.
There has been a mixed response from customers and suppliers to the news.
One of Shoprite’s suppliers Gellings Eggs told Gef it has ‘had a very good business relationship with Shoprite,supplying them with locally produced eggs for 20 years’ and said it hopes Tesco can ‘put back in to the community what Shoprite did over the years’.
The Chamber’s letter reads:
In the wake of the Tesco buyout, the Chamber of Commerce urges the Government and Tesco to prioritise our local producers.
We echo the DfE Minister’s desire to understand the long-term intentions that Tesco has for the Isle of Man. Whilst we recognise that Tesco already stocks some Manx produce, we urge them to also adopt a policy to support a much wider range. Tesco is now in a unique position to lead the way in supporting local produce and we urge them to champion this cause by increasing the range and volume of food which is procured from here on the Island. By doing so, Tesco can demonstrate an unparalleled commitment to the Isle of Man, its economy, and its people.
By making this commitment, Tesco will not only give much needed reassurance to on-Island producers – it will also allow them to plan ahead in the longer-term, which in turn will lead to production of increased volumes of Manx food and drink, making it more cost-effective and ultimately leading to lower prices for consumers. In addition, creating higher demand at a sustainable level will stimulate development in areas where we need more products produced on-Island for the local market.
We also urge Government to create a policy where all Government-owned and operated sites prioritise supply from our on-Island producers.
The benefit of thinking and buying local will…
• reduce our collective carbon footprint (contributing to reaching the Island’s net-zero targets)
• support the economy
• guarantee fresher and healthier food choices for residents
