'I will never shop there again': Northampton Tesco shopper fuming over 'unnecessary' shelf rearrangements

'Is it really sensible and safe to do this during a highly contagious, killer pandemic?'
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A Northampton Tesco customer is so angry with the supermarket rearranging its shelves during the coronavirus lockdown that they have vowed never to shop there again.

The shopper found several items not in their usual places three weeks running during their weekly visit to the Weston Favell supermarket.

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They were left unsatisfied with the response from staff when she complained about having to back-track and walk around unnecessarily looking for products.

Tesco at Weston Favell Shopping Centre. Photo: GoogleTesco at Weston Favell Shopping Centre. Photo: Google
Tesco at Weston Favell Shopping Centre. Photo: Google

Tesco said the rearrangements relate to an essential refurbishment which was originally planned to start in March 2020 but is due to be completed by the end of the month.

The customer, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "This practice of reorganising shelves is highly annoying in peace time, but is it really sensible and safe to do this during a highly contagious, killer pandemic?

"We, along with the majority of other people, are adhering to the rules. We don't want to catch this awful virus or, worse still, be in any way responsible for the suffering or death of others.

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"I have tried to get a satisfactory response from Tesco but to no avail. I will never shop there again."

The customer said they were relieved they visited at 6am to avoid other shoppers but had they gone later in the day, the store would have been much busier, making walking around more stressful.

"I felt very strongly that the midst of this awful pandemic is not the time to re-organise the shelves!

"The staff didn't know where items had been moved either and expressed frustration and an agreement with me that this was adding to the stress and time customers needed to be in the store - hardly making the vital shop easy or safe."

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To allow the refurbishment work to take place overnight, the Tesco store will temporarily close at 9pm from Monday to Wednesday and 10pm from Thursday to Saturday.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “We’re giving our Weston Favell Extra store a refresh, bringing a new look and feel to the shop as well as conducting essential work to replace and upgrade refrigeration.

"We would like to thank all our customers for their patience whilst the work is being carried out.”

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