Navan consumers to benefit from supermarket price war

Navan consumers are set to benefit from a local supermarket price war with Tesco lowering prices in its Navan store as part of the company"s border price initiative. Tesco had already reduced its prices in border towns, including Dundalk and Drogheda, and this programme has now been extended to the Navan store from this week. Tesco in Navan was closed on Monday and Tuesday of this week to allow the store to be revamped and the supermarket opened again today (Wednesday) with price cuts across the store and improved ranges and choice. The move follows the successful launch of the price programme in nine border towns last month and in Tesco Bettystown last week. The prices of 12,500 goods at Tesco Navan have been reduced by an average of 22 per cent with many prices down as much as 30 per cent, the company claims. The company says that prices have been reduced across all categories, including bread, dairy products, meat products, packaged groceries, baby products, health and beauty, ready meals and household. Significant reductions in the prices of milk, meat and poultry took effect in the past month in Meath and elsewhere. According to Tesco, a typical family will now be able to save up to €100 per month on grocery shopping. Robbie Kelly, store manager at Tesco Navan, said: 'Today"s announcement is a significant development for consumers in Navan, making grocery shopping more affordable for customers who are facing tougher economic times. The reductions we are announcing today will bring down the cost of grocery shopping by an overall average of 15 per cent and an average of 22 per cent on international brands.' He added that many local consumers who have taken to travelling to the North for shopping will now find it just as cheap to shop in Tesco stores. 'As well as introducing a wider range of product choice for customers, we have retained all familiar Irish products and brands which have proven their popularity with customers over the years. We will also continue to work in partnership with local producers selling only fresh Irish beef and fresh Irish lamb as well as all of our milk coming only from Irish farms,' said Mr Kelly. SuperValu stores in Navan have also joined in the price battle with Bird"s SuperValu at Beechmount Shopping Centre and Smith"s SuperValu in Johnstown offering specials on certain ranges. SuperValu is stressing in particular its support for local producers and local suppliers. Tesco"s price cut comes less than a week after Marks & Spencer, which also has a presence in Navan, introduced its 'We"ve Listened. We"ve lowered" campaign cutting prices by an average of 12 per cent across all clothing, furniture and homeware products in all its stores in the Republic of Ireland. Jonathan Smith, head of Ireland with M&S, said: 'Like any other retailer, we do have to take into consideration factors specific only to the Irish market such as higher rental, operational and employment costs when setting prices. However, we know things are tough for our Irish customers at the moment and we want to help them by making our products even better value for money. We"ve already made positive moves in our food department and we"re delighted to make this further cut across clothing and home.'