The Sales of Goods Act 1979 and 1995
This law suggests three things. Firstly, the good must be as it is described on the packet or advertisement. This means that goods must be the way the purchaser described. As a customer you could sue if you are sold a product that does not meet its description. Secondly, the product must be fit for the purpose intended. As well as being fit for the purpose for they are generally sold, goods should also be fit for any specific or particular purpose made known at the time of the agreement. Finally, the product must be of a Satisfactory quality i.e. of a standard that a reasonable person would consider to be satisfactory - generally free from fault or defect, as well as being fit for their usual purpose, of a reasonable appearance and finish, safe and durable. For example, if Tesco’s packet or advertisement states something like by using this cream it gets rid of wrinkles and the product does not get rid of wrinkles the, the product is not doing what it was described to do, then Tesco are breaking the law. Another example could be that a gel a customer bought was charged £3.50 but the gel does not even stick up hair for example or used for any of the indeed uses, then the gel has a unsatisfactory quality. Tesco are in way breaching the law, so Tesco could be taken to court and even fined if they were found breaking the law.
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
This law provides the legal framework to promote, stimulate and encourage high standards of health and safety in places of work. It protects employees and the public form work activities. For example, if we were found guilty of not providing safety equipment then we will be breaching the law. Another example could be that a customer slips in a store because of spilled water, and then Tesco have to take full responsibility because the customer slipped because of Tesco’s unawareness of cleaning the pilled water. So if we were found guilty of breaking the law then we will be fined or taken to court in some circumstances. So if Tesco were taken to court then they will get bad publicity which would not do those good in increasing sales. Health and Safety is one of the most important laws for a business as this act dictates the well beings of the employees.
EU Legislation
There are several EU legislations which were designed to establish common levels of consumer protection throughout the EU. EU legislations are also quite similar to the UK legislation.
These are the several key things which affect the selling of products in Tesco:
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Foodstuff Prices – this law suggests that Tesco must indicate the selling price and unit price of the food products. So for example, if Tesco sells bread with no labelling suggesting how much it is, Tesco is in a way breaking this law. Another example could be that a cereal Tesco sells has no price on it or underneath it, and then Tesco are not fully complying to the law. So Tesco could be fined if they found guilty. Tesco has to adapt to this legislation by making sure that they do not breach this law in any way. They can adapt to this law by making sure all the products they sell are priced correctly.
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Misleading Advertising – this law suggests that Tesco is not allowed to give false information on the advertisement or misleading the customers in the advertisement. So for example, Tesco advertise in TV about money back guarantee if the new Persil does not work, and actually when customers ring them up about the issue and Tesco states there is no such things as that, then Tesco are breaking the law. Another example could be that a advertisement states that if you eat a new energy bar, it helps you loose weight but in reality it does not do anything it states, then Tesco are misleading the customers, os they are breaching the law. And if they were found breaking the law then they will be fined and given a bad publicity which will eventually affect their sales. Tesco has to adapt to this legislation by making sure that they do not breach this law in any way. They can adapt to this law by providing correct information about the products in the advertisement.
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General Product Safety – this law suggests that Tesco must only sell products which are safe on the market and also Tesco must provide the customers with relevant information to assess the risks inherent in a product through normal use. So for example, if Tesco sell a product which is unsafe as it has sharp edges coming out of the packaging for example, then Tesco are breaking the law. Another example could be that Tesco sell a toy which has some of its edges of its packaging sharp and it injures the customer in any way, the toy does not comply with the law. So if Tesco were found guilty then they will be fined depending on how dangerous the situation is. Tesco has to adapt to this legislation by making sure that they do not breach this law in any way. They can adapt to this law by having regular checks on their products that they are safe and also provide customers with relevant information about the product which is needed.
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Toy Safety – this law suggests that any toys Tesco sells must have a CE mark. This is because by having this symbol a manufacturer/importer makes a declaration that the product complies with this law. So for example, Tesco sells a product and it does not have the CE symbol, then Tesco are breaking the law. So Tesco would have to pay a small fine if they were found guilty of breaching this law. Tesco has to adapt to this legislation by making sure that they do not breach this law in any way. They can adapt to this law by having regular checks that the toys Tesco sells are CE marked.
So in order to have a safe and secure working environment, Tesco needs to have CCTV cameras throughout the store just in case any criminal activity happens and also to protect the staff and customers. Tesco could have a regular fire drill for the staff, in order to prepare them for a real life fire in the store, by for example where the fire exits are, how to evacuate the customers, etc. The basics things like customer and staff co-operation is needed for a safe and secure environment. Things like staff to mop any over spilled water in the store so that customers don’t fall over or even staffs. All these procedures are needed for Tesco if they want a safe and secure environment, or otherwise if customers for example fall over and hurt themselves in the store because they fell over spilled water then Tesco could be sued. So Tesc would be fined and would have bad publicity.
The different types of policies and procedures needed for the safety of personnel depends on the personnel themselves. So for example, for a wheelchair user, they will need ramps or lifts to get them up to Tesco. So it is Tesco’s responsibility to provide them with it. Also in the case of fire for example, Tesco should provide wheelchair users with some kind of alternative way to get out of the fire instead of with same place as other customers. If Tesco provide their customers with these policies and procedures then Tesco will increase customer satisfaction and have a good reputation among the community that they meet the customer’s needs.
Currently in Tesco there are several security procedures in place. At the moment there is CCTV cameras throughout the store to maintain safety among the store. The CCTV are regularly monitored or watched by the security, who looks for any criminal activity by customers or even staff. This procedure increases the safety and security of the customers and the staff. Tesco also have regular fire drills for the staff so that they know what to do in a real life experience. By having regular fire drills it increases the safety of everyone in a fire situation. Theses current procedures are well organised and monitored in order to give Tesco a well secure and safe environment. However, Tesco could increase the number of procedures it has to be more safe and secure.
