I am stuck out of the country and was wondering what's happening regarding Tesco. Are all the branches closed? Has anyone moved into them? Has someone taken them over?

- Business as usual, except for mandatory temperature checks and hand sanitizing before entry.

- Being bought by CP. Source:  Bangkok Post 10/03/20.

Nothing has happened to Tesco's branches or shops.

56 minutes ago, allane said:

Being bought by CP.

Very bad for competition.

Retail is a pure oligopoly.

Edited May 8, 20206 yr by KhunBENQ

Everything normal, except they don't seem to be replacing tesco own brand stock once sold. 

Not good news for those who like a nice cup of tea at a decent price. 

Any alternative suggestions anyone? 

Exactly as quoted above: Tesco has sold its Asian business (including Thailand) to a company which is effectively owned by various units of the CP Group, including CP All (ie 7-11).  The deal was signed and agreed in principle but not yet completed, likely to fully complete later this year. 
 FWIW, my opinion, a better deal for the seller ( Tesco) than for the buyer (CP). 
 There has been some transition agreement re the brands and supplies etc  but, in effect, no more Tesco in Thailand after 2020.

Edited May 8, 20206 yr by wordchild

Thanks all. I have a friend who is a manager and i didn't want to bring up a subject that is probably causing her sleepless nights.

On 5/8/2020 at 12:49 PM, northsouthdevide said:

Everything normal, except they don't seem to be replacing tesco own brand stock once sold. 

Not good news for those who like a nice cup of tea at a decent price. 

Any alternative suggestions anyone? 

Lazada

On 5/8/2020 at 12:49 PM, northsouthdevide said:

Everything normal, except they don't seem to be replacing tesco own brand stock once sold. 

Not good news for those who like a nice cup of tea at a decent price. 

Any alternative suggestions anyone? 

It's because they've been bought by CP.

No more 'home brand' anything.

Is there a Monopolies Commission in Thailand investigating this sale ?

I'm hoping CP may continue to import some Tesco branded products, especially its finest range, after the deal goes through, just like Big C did with Carrefour goods when it took over, though it then changed to importing Casino products instead, but they're pretty good too.

On 5/8/2020 at 12:49 PM, northsouthdevide said:

Everything normal, except they don't seem to be replacing tesco own brand stock once sold. 

Not good news for those who like a nice cup of tea at a decent price. 

Any alternative suggestions anyone? 

Siamburi's if you live near Pattaya.

In the begining it was Lotus owned by CP which got into financial difficulties in the 1997 financial crisis and CP sold most, but not all of its' shares to Tesco. The new company was called Tesco-Lotus with CP retaining a small share. Later stores were mainly branded as Tesco and Tesco Express. All that has happened is that CP has bought back its shares from its' partner.

 

 

55 minutes ago, Guderian said:

Siamburi's if you live near Pattaya.

Please provide more contact details.

I gave Tesco a miss long ago apart from a visit every 3 months .

Big C better for me . Tesco's decent beef has been non existent for years now

https://www.marketing-interactive.com/sime-darby-to-sell-30-of-stakes-in-tesco-stores-to-thailand

 

This will answer your question.  The Malaysian stock holder wanted out

On 5/8/2020 at 12:02 PM, KhunBENQ said:

Very bad for competition.

Nikkei Asian Review commented on how Central was also bidding and should've been the winner. Central's area is mostly high end retail, and this would've moved them into the conventional area also. CP already controls this area with all of Thailand's 7-11s. Allowing them to grab even more was ridiculous. Even better would've been to give a totally new player a chance.

 

Not surprising, considering how this is the same country in which not only did the big guy "win", but also had his competition disbanded.

Tesco has also sold out in Malaysia (whether part of the same deal I have no idea). CP Group's buy-out of Tesco was Thailand's largest ever Corporate take-over. For well known UK brands, TOPS supermarkets are worth a visit and if you live in or near Chiang Mai, RIMPING is another supermarket selling branded UK goods.

On 5/8/2020 at 12:49 PM, northsouthdevide said:

Everything normal, except they don't seem to be replacing tesco own brand stock once sold. 

Not good news for those who like a nice cup of tea at a decent price. 

Any alternative suggestions anyone? 

take a look at Lazada

only one thing worse than CP buying it up

- and that is if it had been the CCP!

18 minutes ago, CrunchWrapSupreme said:

Even better would've been to give a totally new player a chance.

Who said new players were not allowed to bid? For Tesco, the highest bid is all that counts

On 5/8/2020 at 12:49 PM, northsouthdevide said:

Everything normal, except they don't seem to be replacing tesco own brand stock once sold. 

Not good news for those who like a nice cup of tea at a decent price. 

Any alternative suggestions anyone? 

Look up Barry's tea, from Ireland. I get 100 bags for around 7 Euros, including postage. So strong I can use a bag twice, too. Various blends to choose from. And far, far cheaper than what Lazada are charging, as some have suggested you look at.
For some bizarre reason, Twinings charges close to 25 pounds postage from the UK.

Edited May 10, 20206 yr by Bangkok Barry

On 5/8/2020 at 12:49 PM, northsouthdevide said:

Everything normal, except they don't seem to be replacing tesco own brand stock once sold. 

Not good news for those who like a nice cup of tea at a decent price. 

Any alternative suggestions anyone? 

Siam expat foods have these ones... not a tea drinker myself so they maybe utter garbage !!

 

1 hour ago, natway09 said:

I gave Tesco a miss long ago apart from a visit every 3 months .

Big C better for me . Tesco's decent beef has been non existent for years now

I have a sizeable Big C near me. Then Tesco Lotus opened up a couple of hundred metres away and Big C's trade dropped at least 90 per cent. You'll see about three cars parked outside now, and they might belong to staff. You can almost see the tumbleweed blowing across. They reduced to one cashier, all the little side stores closed. I feel sorry for them because they do have some good stuff there, meat and fish-wise. But then, so does Tesco.

But it's very clear who the locals prefer.

1 hour ago, Greenhill said:

Please provide more contact details.

Just search "siamburi's" in facebook

3 hours ago, Postmaster said:

Is there a Monopolies Commission in Thailand investigating this sale ?

Yes but it’s been renamed Cluedo

On 5/8/2020 at 6:19 AM, wordchild said:

in effect, no more Tesco in Thailand after 2020.

 

So its  :   Tesco

               Tesgo

                Tesgone

It'll be a shame of they fully stop importing any Tesco products. I much prefer Foodland, but do make one trip to Tesco each month to get some stuff.

 

I imagine it might end up like Big C which basically has nothing decent imported and is just fully geared towards the Thai market. 

4 hours ago, Postmaster said:

Is there a Monopolies Commission in Thailand investigating this sale ?

And if so, why is there only one Monopolies Commission?

Edited May 10, 20206 yr by JAG

On 5/8/2020 at 12:49 PM, northsouthdevide said:

Everything normal, except they don't seem to be replacing tesco own brand stock once sold. 

Not good news for those who like a nice cup of tea at a decent price. 

Any alternative suggestions anyone? 

"Heladiv English Breakfast Tea" works for me - Big C sell it in boxes of 100 bags, it comes from Sri Lanka