Blame Tesco for baffling basket case, MP claims

IT is the bizarre ‘crimewave’ that has seen an island supermarket reportedly losing up to 15 shopping baskets every week.

But yesterday a Nationalist MP said that locals on Lewis were not behind the ‘thefts’ – and claimed it was just a marketing ploy by the Tesco branch.

The Stornoway shop has withdrawn the remaining baskets from use until more are delivered in several weeks’ time. It has also declared an ‘amnesty’ for customers who return them.

But yesterday Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil said: ‘Tesco doing this has nothing to do with the theft of baskets.

‘They know a thing or two about shopping psychology and Tesco understands people will buy more if people shop with a trolley. Every little may help but Tesco knows every big bit helps a lot more.’

A Tesco spokesman declined to comment on Mr MacNeil’s claims but insisted that baskets are available on request at the store, while an order for 100 new ones had been placed.

Some people have suggested that the baskets were taken in protest at the 5p bag charge.

But Facebook user Catherine Fraser wrote yesterday: ‘They are used a lot for gardening, growing young plants, some are used inside car boots for sorting out shopping into... really useful to get them free from supermarkets.’ She added: ‘I can honestly say I have never taken one.’