Tesco Lotus to open at UD Town

[lee]

Whilst driving past UD Town a few nights ago I noticed Tesco Lotus banners all around the central building. Carrefour was originally going to take this location but for whatever reason pulled out at the last minute.

When this store is complete Udon will have 3 Tesco Lotus supermarkets and 2 Tesco Lotus express stores.

[BobHelm]

Yes it was mentioned on another thread a while back Lee.
Much to my embarrassment I questioned the probability of anyone opening a Supermarket in the centre of town.
It does fly in the face of any logic ever put forward about the many benefits of having supermarkets on the edge of cities on a good transport route, where plentiful parking can be made available. But TIT....
The last couple of times I have paid a visit to the new lotus by TNS it has been quiet and the number of 'Falang' perishable lines seems to be diminishing, or maybe hit & miss as to if they have in stock.
To me I could just not see the logic in two Tesco's three???

[Medmanniska]

where are the 2 Tesco Lotus express stores located?

[Texpat]

These massive foreign owned chain stores are a blight on the otherwise charming little mom-and-pops. The builders of these massive behemoths that scar the beautiful countryside and elbow out the poor Thai shopkeepers should be ashamed. Their lack of respect for the local culture and economy is despicable. Greed and gluttony at its pinnacle.

Hey, this is fun!

[Tilokarat]

What ?!?

Okay, what's up Texpat?

Are you trying to score brownie points with KhonDahm and Khun Jack?

Next thing we know, you will be praising that sicko MIchael Moore and tossing eggs at Ronald McDonald. 55555

[papaguido]

where are the 2 Tesco Lotus express stores located?

One near Ban Hoy market (grid L-7 up the street from 7/11) and the other nearly opposite the Army hospital on Tahan Rd.

[UdonExpat]

It's time for the big retailers to squash those high priced, tax evading, mom and pop places that prey upon the ignorant and poor. Thailand needs a 7-11 and Lotus Express for every village. Let's californicate Thailand.

The Thai government has been setting it's big box store policy by refusing to act. They have expanded by better than 600% since 1999. They're building as fast as they can before the government acts. Perhaps that's why some don't seem to make much sense at this time. They're looking down the road 20 years and trying to beat any upcoming restrictions.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/20 ... 27308.html

Oh, I almost forgot, for you Michael Moore fans: http://www.michaelmoore.com/

[parrot]

I'd love to support mom'n'pop stores, and often do......but: when their coolers aren't cool, their ice-cream has been refrozen, their shelves are dusty/dirty, and their stock is limited (except for the ubiquitous beers/whiskeys), it's hard not to go into a 7-11, We-Shop, or Tesco express. Most of the mom'n'pops are run as a convenience, not to the customer, but to the owner who uses his/her living space as a shop....nothing wrong with that, but it doesn't serve the customer very well.
Why is it we, city folks, all enjoy doing our shopping in the big air-conditioned, well-stocked stores.....but when the villagers have an opportunity for an upgrade in their shopping, the cries of foreign intervention are let loose? If it weren't for the big stores, I'd guess a good percentage of foreigners wouldn't choose to live here. Good enough for us, but not for them??
And.......the 7-11 franchise in Thailand is owned by the Charoen Pokphand Group....they in turn grant franchises to operators.....I'd guess most or all are Thais. In my neighborhood, there's a We-Shop (a slightly down-scaled 7-11).....the village doctor bought into the franchise and operates it. Clean, air-con, good selection of fresh products.....and, of course, he's putting the mom'n'pops in the area out of business. What's wrong with that?

Everybody seems to want to live in the past.......but we all cheer when McD, Carrefour, or a new foreign-owned bar opens their doors, or our favorite cheese is stocked in a foreign-owned store. Let everyone enjoy some progress in their lives.
Time for a cup of coffee.

[nkstan]

I agree with you analysis of the situation ,Parrot!One can not expect growth w/o change.I like to support local M&P's,but it is difficult as very few are run as a business designed to attract customers.

For those that are worried about the M&P's,I ask you,are you using a washing machine,versus allowing a local to earn money from doing your laundry?HUH?It is the same mindset analogy for me!

I think sometimes the drastic changes caused by large companies moving into Thailand are to much to expect the locals to adjust to.That is why,I think the Tesco-Lotus,Carefour etc,should have a policy of wholesale to legimate local neighborhood M&P's with a well defined qualifying criteria such as distance from the store,time in business(no new stores) etc.

[polehawk]

where are the 2 Tesco Lotus express stores located?

One near Ban Hoy market (grid L-7 up the street from 7/11) and the other nearly opposite the Army hospital on Tahan Rd.

Didn't know about the T-L Express across from Army Hospital. Will have to check it out if can find a parking spot close by. Never been to the one close to Ban Hoy. Seemed like parking would be too much of a hassle.

Yep, this town is booming. What's next? A Burger King, Submarine shop and a Asia Book outlet? It's gonna be like Main Street in Yourtown, USA.

[lee]

Asia Book outlet?

Asia Books setup a stand in the shopping mall last month, maybe they're testing the water!

[polehawk]

Asia Book outlet?

Asia Books setup a stand in the shopping mall last month, maybe they're testing the water!

Now that's good news to me. My favorite place in Bangkok to find a good book to read although the outlet in Siam Paragon might be hard to get to these days. Will look for that stall next trip to the mall.

[Texpat]

My post above shaming the big retail stores was sarcastic.
The last line should have given it away.

Hey, this is fun!

...we all cheer when McD, Carrefour, or a new foreign-owned bar opens their doors...

Well, no. Not everyone. Some whine till the cows come home about certain western outlets but practically kneel on the alter of High Goddess Tesco -- hence my post, this is fun!

A real shame they're bludgeoning the small Mom and Pops. Surly, abrasive and barging in where they're not welcome.

[lee]

Will look for that stall next trip to the mall.

Unfortunately it was only setup for a short while during one of Central Plaza's events.

[papaguido]

Didn't know about the T-L Express across from Army Hospital. Will have to check it out if can find a parking spot close by. Never been to the one close to Ban Hoy. Seemed like parking would be too much of a hassle.

Yep, this town is booming. What's next? A Burger King, Submarine shop and a Asia Book outlet? It's gonna be like Main Street in Yourtown, USA.

Yep and if you can't find what you're looking for at the T-L express try the 7-11 on the right...or the one on the left