Tyrells beat Tesco in battle
An upmarket crisp maker today claimed a David versus Goliath-style victory over supermarket giant Tesco. Will Chase, a Leominster-based farmer, produces Tyrrells Potato Chips.
He said Tesco had been stocking his products - which retail at around 90p - despite his refusal to supply to the chain.
Originally a potato farmer whose margins were wiped out by the supermarkets, Mr Chase turned to making potato chips in 2002 and chose to sell them on the independent market through delicatessens and Waitrose, which supports locally produced fine foods.
Due to the growing success of the brand, Mr Chase said Tesco approached him several times with a view to stocking his crisps but when he refused it sourced them through the "grey market" and was selling them at reduced prices at 60 stores.
Mr Chase last week appointed a lawyer to examine his legal options.
Following an announcement on Friday that Tesco is to boost links with small suppliers, the supermarket has agreed to stop stocking the award-winning potato crisps.
Mr Chase said: "This is a victory of David over Goliath. Although stocking my products with Tesco would significantly grow my business, I felt the quality argument overrode that of quantity. Tesco is keen to buy into the Tyrrells success story, but that is not part of my plan."
Mr Chase said his retail customers had begun to complain that Tesco would undercut the business.
A spokeswoman for Tesco said: "Will Chase's comments come as a surprise to us. However, if Tyrrells do not want to sell at Tesco we will respect that decision."
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