"The Brits are coming." Just a few years ago that was the sombre warning to retailers in high streets across Ireland. Nowadays, the Englishness' of the store fascias in the Republic's major shopping areas in particular is as familiar as the Guinness adverts. But until last week, the injection of expertise from across the sea had been mostly from outside the food arena. UK names such as Dixons, Debenhams, Boots, Marks & Spencer, HMV and Laura Ashley have set up camp as the voyages across the Irish Sea by profit-seeking retailers have become more numerous. Significantly, as worried local traders looked on with mounting concern, Irish consumers have voted with their feet and wallets after being swiftly converted to the selling philosophies of the sophisticated British newcomers. Thus, last week's purchase by Tesco of 75 Stewarts, Quinnsworth and Crazy Prices stores from ABF should not have surprised many among the Emerald Isle's grocery sector. Given that Quinnsworth has probably been making 4% to 5% net and Tesco is likely to be seeking a more comfortable 6% profit margin, the multiple's arrival will almost certainly prompt a price war as the long established locals react to the British competition. But as far as grocery retailing is concerned, many further deals involving would-be British predators are unlikely. With the possible exception of the Dublin-based Dunnes Stores being targeted by Sainsbury or Asda in the near future, the chances of others emulating Tesco's move must be remote. After all, there are only three and a half million people in the south and it is already overshopped. Meanwhile, as Tesco attempts to allay fears among Irish suppliers that they will be largely excluded from its products inventory, other ripple effects from the UK newcomer's arrival are taxing Dublin minds. Price war or not, the English company's experience of life in more competitive climes will ultimately send tremors down High Street Ireland. There are likely to be local casualties. {{NEWS}}