Tesco and Sainsburys customers given warning | UK | News
It has been revealed that shopping at express supermarkets costs customers more than if they stuck to larger supermarkets.
Research has shown that shopping at convenience stores such as Tesco Express, Sainsbury’s Local and Morrisons Daily could cost you more than sticking to a department store at a larger supermarket.
More than half of respondents to a survey by consumer website Which? said they shop at their local store at least once a week.
In June and July 2024, Which? compared the cost of groceries at Tesco Express, Sainsbury’s Local and Morrisons Daily with the prices in their supermarkets.
The researchers also compared prices for customers with loyalty cards such as Sainsbury’s Nectar, Tesco Clubcard and Morrisons More.
Morrisons customers face the biggest price difference as research has found consumers pay 21% more for the same groceries at a Morrisons Daily than at its supermarket.
A 165g tub of Philadelphia soft cheese costs £2.58 in the company’s convenience store, while in its larger supermarket it costs £1.58.
Customers spend an average of £16 more when shopping at a Morrisons Daily, costing them more than £832 over a year if they buy the same products every week.
Tesco and Sainsbury’s have less of a price difference between their convenience stores and supermarkets. However, Tesco Clubcard holders could pay 11% more and Sainsbury’s Nectar members could pay 14% more in their convenience stores.
At Tesco Express, a six-pack of Mr Kipling Bakewell slices costs £2.32, but in a Tesco supermarket it costs Clubcard holders £1.50 – a 54% difference.
Sainsbury’s customers who buy a 500g bag of Sainsbury’s fusilli in a convenience store will pay 20p more than if they bought it in a Sainsbury’s supermarket.
A basket of 42 groceries would cost on average around £11 more at Sainsbury’s Local and £10 more at Tesco Express for loyalty scheme members. In total, customers would save over £500 more over a year.
For those without any loyalty benefits, the average price difference was 10% at Tesco, but 5% at Sainsbury’s.
Sainsbury’s does not offer Nectar points in its smaller stores; however, they do offer promotions to all customers, bringing their prices closer to those of their supermarkets.
Although the study found that some items were cheaper at convenience stores, those who shop there frequently will face an increase in their grocery budget.
