It's almost 10 years since the cat was let out of the bag

How did Tesco get so big? One reason has been its adept relations with those at the centre of power.

For example at the Department of Environment, Commentary Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee session held on 29 June 2004  (question 339) Austin Mitchell MP  asked David North, Tesco's Corporate Social Responsibility and Government Affairs Director about Tesco's input on matters such as obesity and food standards with the question:

``How frequently do you have contact with Government on these issues?''

North responded:

``I think contact of one sort or another would be almost daily, whether it is on an individual issue or on wider ranging issues like obesity. Contact with Government is frequent''. (My emphasis added)

see: http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmenvfru/469/4062907.htm

The move to lower prices seems to be an admission that consumers have been ripped off for so long in the multi-buy culture (with consequences for the amount waste generated see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26908613).  It will be interesting to see how Tesco and the other majors work their way out of this.