Brits Get Hooked

June 09, 2006

A comprehensive fishing range will go on sale in selected Tesco stores for the first time, the UK’s leading supermarket announced today.

With over 4 million anglers in England and Wales and £2.75billion spent on the sport every year, Tesco is launching a high-quality, affordable range for fishing enthusiasts and newcomers to the sport. Tesco will be the first supermarket to stock fishing equipment in the UK and will also offer a selection of family-friendly products aimed at children.

The range includes rods, reels, nets, tackle and bait boxes as well as a junior starter kit. Prices start from £2.97 and the range will go on sale in time for Father’s Day in over 70 Tesco Extra stores across the UK.

The Environment Agency launched its ‘Angling 2015’ report in May, outlining plans to attract an extra 200,000 people to fishing in the next 10 years. Part of its drive is to encourage more women and young people to take up fishing. Though celebrities, such as Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher have professed their love of fishing, women currently make up just 5% of the UK angling population with only 1-2% regularly fishing compared to 26% of women in the US. Only 7% of UK anglers are currently under 18.

Mike Arnott, Tesco senior buying manager for sports, said: "We hope this range will not only support the large number of existing fishing enthusiasts in the UK, but also encourage a totally new audience of women and young people to the sport. With junior starter kits at just £10.97 fishing makes for a fun and healthy family day out in the British countryside.

"This fishing range is another addition to Tesco’s growing selection of outdoor leisure and sports equipment. Our aim is to be able to offer every customer real choice whatever their sport or hobby from skateboarding to mountain biking, cricket or golf!

“We have worked very closely with the very best suppliers to bring the highest quality products to our customers at prices they expect from Tesco – prices that open up angling to a completely new audience.”

-Ends-

Notes to editors

- All statistics taken from the Angling 2015 report published by the Environment Agency in May 2006 or available to download from: www.environment-agency.gov.uk

- The range will go on sale across 70 Tesco Extra stores in the UK and will be available from 19th June through to the 5th August 2006 or until stocks last.

Contact Information

Tesco Press Office

Tesco PLC

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