Forum Topic

How does one report a problem shop environment?

Yesterday, I was in Tesco Express on the High Street, I was unhappy about the way other customers were behaving, the way the staff and security were managing it, for my own safety and the whole handling of social distancing. I had not experienced anything like this in Chiswick recently. While nothing will induce me to go back there during the present crisis I am concerned about this situation - is there a specific unit in the Council or the police with whom to share my concerns. The customer complaint website at Tesco Plc is completely overloaded with angry complaints nationwide so that doesn't seem to be the best place.

Jackie Elton ● 2406d12 Comments

The LBH related link ishttps://www.hounslow.gov.uk/xfp/form/282

John Todd ● 2406d

Thanks very much.

Jackie Elton ● 2406d

This is such a small store with narrow aisles that it is difficult to see how it can be made to meet the 2m distancing. When I was there recently they had someone at the door who allowed me in when someone else came out, after that it’s down to how customers behave inside with the added problem of staff filling out shelves etc. It’s tricky in such a small place, I’d say three or four customers maximum at a time and maybe ensure they have to follow a fixed route around the aisles.

Michael David Rowe ● 2406d

We used to have a local shop in Devon which had a one-way system.  You just couldn't pass anybody else.  You had to go round more than once if you missed something.  So it wouldn't be the first time.  It is quite difficult if you do not know where things are and when the supermarkets deliberately place milk, bread and eggs (eg basic essentials) as far away from each other as possible in order to make customers walk further and pick up other items they had not originally gone to the shop for.  (One of many marketing strategies.)Have layouts changed?

Philippa Bond ● 2405d

This was not an issue of layout. It was about behaviour and management thereof. On a Friday night night people tend to go to the pub or a club. But without that option, some of them might think a shop is the best alternative. Not good.

Jackie Elton ● 2405d

I've found the staff very good there so far during the outbreak but am avoiding the place now because of the narrow aisles which make it almost impossible to socially distance.

Felicity Caborn ● 2405d

I have found the staff there extremely helpful. As suggested by a previous resident, let's do a one way system with no more than 3 people in the shop. And a big thanks to the staff there for working so hard to serve the Chiswick community.

Marlene Johnson ● 2405d

It's very hard to shop, even in big supermarkets, without getting within 2 metres of other people. I notice that people studiously avoid looking at each other, presumably so they can pretend the other person isn't there.

Susan Kelly ● 2405d

I'm sure Tesco on the High Road have a procedure in place, however, they cannot be responsible for the behavior of customers, they are not trained security staff and are unlikely to want confrontation anymore than the op did otherwise something would have been said at the time.

Jan Porter ● 2405d

So did you report the problem and store to Tesco hq, the Manager, or the Council?  Or are you just complaining on here about some customers' stupid behaviour?John Lewis said that they were closing their stores and just doing online so that they could transfer people to Waitrose.  Other stores have increased or changed their staffing to keep shelves stocked and number of customers in the store.You have to choose your store and the time of day you shop.  An elderly friend's very valuable corner shop has now decided to close as they could not maintain the distancing in there.  The aisles in the supermarket locals are unfortunately narrow.

Philippa Bond ● 2405d

I have indeed tried to report this to the Council, after taking a great deal of time filling the form in - all the information got lost due to a technical fault on the website.  I will keep trying until I succeed.The Tesco company website is so overrun with angry complaints nationwide, than I am not sure there is very much point. They seem to be overwhelmed. Every shop has to deal with difficult customers on a daily basis - they need to have the systems and training to deal with them and most do.Can I just say, that I think most of the Chiswick shops are doing an absolutely splendid job in difficult circumstances.

Jackie Elton ● 2405d

Well done.  I've seen the police moving people on in the parks.  It's a shame they don't know to move them on in a particular supermarkets if that's the problem there too.

Philippa Bond ● 2404d