Why does B&Q keep trying to sell mole repellent to Northern Ireland?

Why does B&Q keep trying to sell mole repellent to Northern Ireland?

There are no moles in Ireland.

I know, ignorant Brits like me find that amazing, but it's true. It's to do with the history of how the land was formed.

As a result, garden centres in the Republic of Ireland have a few products missing: they don't stock mole repellent. Obviously, nobody needs to buy it.

However, Northern Ireland is legally part of the UK, so almost all shops will file their Northern Ireland stores under UK management. This doesn't matter too much for the major supermarkets who allow each store to stock the right produce for the local market, but for some reason B&Q really seems to struggle.

I've been doing some research and so far I've had it confirmed that B&Q have been told they can stop selling mole repellent in their Northern Irish stores in:

  • 1998 (when it was reported by BBC Northern Ireland)
  • 2008 (when it was reported by BBC national news)
  • 2012
  • 2014

Take a look at some of the tweets below. I'm also on the look-out for other examples of stores getting their local produce horrendously wrong - I'm hearing rumours of Tesco Ireland trying to sell GB car stickers?


© 2024 Johnathan Randall

Tedious about the author bit

Radio producer and travel historian. I write about travel patterns, urban development, heavy machinery and lists.

I love the places people pass through along their journey, and societies that have been shaped by our need to get around.

Experienced entertainment and talk show producer. I can't tell you how many bad ideas I've had. But it's a lot of bad ideas.

Legally bland

Any similarities with real-life events or wealthy international firms is probably coincidental. No products endorsed. I'm powered by Monster Munch.

© 2024 Johnathan Randall.