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A while ago in this blog post I wrote a letter to Tesco about their lazy, sexist, outdated retailing, and I promised to let you know if I got a reply.

A got a reply a while ago and, erm, forgot to mention it.

The cynics among you will say that I’m simply copying the formula used to fantastic effect in Robin Cooper’s The Timewaster’s Letters books, and this brilliant website which, I’ve just noticed, also spawned a book.

But in the words of David Brent, “a good idea is a good idea… forever.”

First I guess I should share with you the reply I got from Tesco:

Thank you for contacting us.

We’re always pleased to receive feedback from our customers as this can help us improve our service.

I’ve passed your comments to our Marketing department and I know they’ll bear these in mind at the next review meeting.

Thanks for taking time to contact us.

Yours sincerely

For and on behalf of Tesco Stores Ltd

Now, my reply.

Dear Tesco

Thank you for your letter dated 16 March 2010 in reply to my letter dated 25^th February (sorry for the delay!).

I am pleased you will/(have) pass/(ed) my comments on to your Marketing department.  Could you please let me know the outcome?

I also feel I need to clear a few things up regarding my original letter, as there were a few factual inaccuracies that it would be remiss of me to pretend to ignore:

1)      I stated that the magazine display was “clearly labelled” (oh, the irony) “WOMEN’S INTERESTS.”  Having checked this, the section is actually clearly labelled WOMEN’S LIFESTYLE.  My point about out-dated sexual stereotypes still stands though I’m sure you’ll agree.

2)      I also stated that the MEN’S INTEREST section contained “car, sport and music magazines,” which again was incorrect.  Sport and motoring each have their own sections, while the MEN’S INTERESTS section includes magazines on computing, photography, music, fitness (aimed specifically at men), and “lads’ mags” (both hetero- and homosexual). 

Apart from the two very different types of lads’ mags and the specifically male-oriented fitness magazines, these subjects could equally interest women as well as men.  I accept that men may be the magazines’ primary market focus, but I still don’t think it’s right.  That said my main bugbear is that you place the cooking magazines under WOMEN’S LIFESTYLE.

Many thanks for your time.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.

I hope I get some money off vouchers this time and not another letter.