Art Story

Very Little Helps, also known as Tesco Flag or Tesco Kids, offers a pointed critique of corporate dominance and consumer culture. The piece depicts a group of children gathered around a flagpole, yet instead of raising a traditional flag, one child holds a Tesco-branded plastic bag aloft. The other two children place their hands on their hearts, pledging allegiance before a serene blue backdrop. This reference to Tesco's well-known slogan "Every little helps" serves as a sharp commentary on the pervasive presence of the supermarket chain, particularly on the high streets of Britain and the resulting erosion of local diversity and independence.
The image of the flag also evokes the notion that certain corporations have grown so large and all-encompassing in modern life that they wield influence comparable to that of nation-states. Banksy uses this powerful symbolism to address the increasing power of corporate entities in shaping societal structures and values.
Very Little Helps first appeared in 2008 as a mural on the side of a pharmacy on Essex Road in North London. The artwork quickly became the subject of public debate and media attention, before being vandalized, which sparked further discussions about the distinction between street art and graffiti.