Crun, how can you be so sceptical of manufactures claims, you be telling me next that grannies don't knit shreddies. (they taste like knitted string)
Tesco built a largish store in our village. Did the small shops close, like hell did they, they thrived on the extra foot fall and parking that Tesco provided. The butcher is busier than ever and has expanded with a deli and cafe. We now have an Iceland, 2 chemists, bakers, all of which are either new or expanded.
Before Tesco, parking was limited and people travelled to major towns for supermarkets.
We also have a small Asda, but that is awful, limited range, little fresh produce and uninterested staff.