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Struggling Retailer | 13.07.2003 12:01 | Anti-militarism

Waitrose targeted for Fairford airborne arms fair



Waitrose in Bath has been targeted with in-store stickers which take issue with the foodstore's association with the (Military ) Royal International Air Tattoo at USAF Fairford.

The stickers entice customers to "Buy Iraqi blood here now - its organic!" and to take advantage of the store's special offers on WMD.

Waitrose is the airborne arms fair's biggest ticket outlet. In addition to the £33.00 admission charge, Waitrose are encouraging their customers to fork out another £18 to enter the "Waitrose Jubilee Garden" in order to "Reserve your deckchair in a grassed enclosure on the crowdline and enjoy the delicious summer refreshments from the Waitrose food and drink pay-bar." While the B52s fly low overhead. Again. How nice.

When questioned, in-store staff are briefed to say "Waitrose support is to help the RAF Benevolent Fund", however this is misleading. The only link from the RIAT homepage ( http://www.airtattoo.intheuk.com/) is to "RAF Benevolent Fund Enterprises", the private, profit-making arm of the organisation responsible for managing the huge merchandising operation at the airshow. In any case, the primary beneficiaries of the show are promoters BAE Systems and other manufacturers of high-tech airborne firearms, for whom the Tattoo offers the biggest showcase outside the US.

USAF Fairford (or "Airstrip 1") will also display a comprehensive collection of warplanes that have killed world wide for nearly 100 years. Hey, they may even have the first plane that ever dropped bombs on civilians, and it was the people of Iraq who suffered that privilege too.

Any unhappy shoppers who would like stickers for their local Wartrose can email  ambroseblimfield@yahoo.com and I'll send you some.

Struggling Retailer
- e-mail: ambroseblimfield@yahoo.com
- Homepage: http://www.fairfordpeacewatch.com/