Cost-cutting move spells trouble for home brands and discounters

Conall O Fátharta says Tesco’s strategy will boost imported own-brand products at the expense of familiar Irish brands – as well as Aldi and Lidl

THE announcement by Tesco that it has cut prices at 11 stores along the border by an average of 22% will largely be welcomed by recessionary Ireland’s more budget-conscious shoppers.

It is expected that more of the company’s 116 Irish stores will move in the same direction.