Convenience, choice, value.

The words we once associated with supermarkets are myths and misconceptions. Behind them are ruthless profit-making mechanisms manipulating market price, supply chains, planning systems and customer buying habits.

Now, we shop according to their needs.

And new brand values - customer commitment, community engagement, responsible sourcing, ethical trading, sustainable operation - are all part of the slick PR that convinces us that they are evolving to meet our needs.

But we don't need the hearts wrenched out of towns, farmers barely covering costs, communities displaced by faceless, sterile superstores, commodities flown in from all parts of the globe, price-checks telling us we saved £2.10.

We need to resist supermarket domination; fight back, rally support, stage protests, raise awareness, speak out, write songs...

Protest makes its way onto Oswestry CD

A Shropshire musician has expressed his views on the growing power of the big supermarkets in an album which is released on CD and download (21 Oct 2011).

Neil Phillips will be making his debut performance of 'Supermarket', a collection of 12 'protest' songs, as part of 'An evening of film, words and music' at the Ironworks venue in Oswestry. This latest concept work from the Oswestry-based satirical musician follows his 2010, 'Appendectomy', which charted the experience of abdominal surgery.

Speaking about his new project, Neil said that it was partly inspired by the efforts of local action groups to protect Oswestry town centre from what they believe is unnecessary out-of-town retail development. Despite strong opposition, planning for a supermarket and related commercial development on the town's Smithfield cattle market was granted earlier this year.

Oswestry itself and regional apple species, Sweeney Nonpareil, are both name-checked on two of the tracks, 'It's Not Over' and 'Apples' respectively. With the call to support local traders a strong theme running through the songs, production of the CD features local talent and skills. Oswestry traditional book-binders and printers, Hedge Sparrow Press, printed and finished the CD cases by hand, while Oswestry Printers litho-printed the CD booklet which includes visuals by local artists.