The cost of putting food on the table may increase by more than £800 a year by shopping at urban convenience stores owned by the large supermarkets.
Which? issued the warning after discovering that Tesco charges significantly more at its Express convenience stores than at big-box stores. The same is true of Sainsbury’s and its local stores, which can charge much more for necessities.
Those without automobiles who struggle to conduct a weekly big purchase at a larger supermarket or carry several bags on the bus or who cannot pay the delivery fees for online shopping will be affected by the price disparity.
According to a Which? study, customers who purchase the same 75 items at Tesco Express spend an average of £15.73 more per week than those who shop online or at a larger Tesco, which adds up to £817.91 more annually.
According to a Sainsbury’s assessment of 69 popular items, they would typically cost an additional £9.19 per week at one of its Local stores, or an additional £477.93 year. The sweet potato package, which cost 37% more at Tesco, had the highest price difference. A bag of two Little Gem lettuces cost 17% more, and Mr. Kipling Bakewell slices cost 28% more.
Sainsbury’s local convenience stores increased the prices of Heinz Cream of Tomato soup by 19% and Heinz Cream of Chicken by 18%. The supermarkets claim that these prices reflect increased business rents and rates, but Which? said that won’t give consumers much solace.
The consumer group is pushing supermarkets to do more to assist customers during the crisis in the cost of living, such as by providing a variety of budget lines for necessities. In order to make discounts easier to see, it also wants them to make pricing explicit.
“We’re calling on big supermarkets to ensure that everyone has easy access to basic, affordable food lines,” Which? spokesperson Sue Davies said.
According to a Sainsbury’s assessment of 69 popular items, they would typically cost an additional £9.19 per week at one of its Local stores, or an additional £477.93 year. The sweet potato package, which cost 37% more at Tesco, had the highest price difference. A bag of two Little Gem lettuces cost 17% more, and Mr. Kipling Bakewell slices cost 28% more.
Sainsbury’s local convenience stores increased the prices of Heinz Cream of Tomato soup by 19% and Heinz Cream of Chicken by 18%. The supermarkets claim that these prices reflect increased business rents and rates, but Which? said that won’t give consumers much solace.
The consumer group is pushing supermarkets to do more to assist customers during the crisis in the cost of living, such as by providing a variety of budget lines for necessities. In order to make discounts easier to see, it also wants them to make pricing explicit.
“We’re calling on big supermarkets to ensure that everyone has easy access to basic, affordable food lines,” Which? spokesperson Sue Davies said.
