Reference: Rally against Tesco, Bangkok Post, July 30, 2008

It is reported that the spread of innovative and efficient retailing methods throughout Thailand in the form of mini-marts such as Tesco Lotus Express stores is a threat to traditional and inefficient retailers; and concludes that the solution to the problem is to retard innovation (Rally against Tesco, Bangkok Post, July 30, 2008). Such a Luddite approach to the confrontation between old and new in the retail industry does not serve the interest of either the consumer or the traditional retailer. All concerned parties would be served best if retailing innovations were encouraged. Government intervention if any should be directed toward training traditional retailers in modern retailing methods and not to protect ignorance and inefficiency at the expense of the consumer.

Cha-am Jamal
Thailand