Supermarket ‘locals’ cost a FIFTH more than larger stores from the same supermarket

Shoppers who buy their food at local branches of the major supermarkets could be paying up to a fifth more than at the larger stores.

Which? compared the cost of 42 grocery items at convenience chains Morrisons Daily, ­Sainsbury’s Local and Tesco Express against prices at their full-size supermarkets.

It found the biggest price ­difference was at Morrisons Daily, where shoppers paid 21 per cent more on average.

Which? found that while Sainsbury’s and Tesco had less variation in prices, Nectar members could still be paying an average of 14 per cent more at Sainsbury’s Local, while Clubcard holders could be charged 11 per cent more at Tesco Express.

Despite Tesco Express stores offering Clubcard prices, a pack of six Mr Kipling Bakewell Slices was £2.32 on average at Tesco Express but £1.50 at Tesco supermarkets – a 54% difference.

A 500g bag of own-label fusilli was 31% or 20p cheaper at a larger Sainsbury’s supermarket at 65p instead of 85p.

A medium white Hovis loaf cost 12% more at both Sainsbury’s Local and Tesco Express, and 14% more at Morrisons Daily. 

In total, the basket of 42 groceries averaged around £11 more at Sainsbury’s Local and £10 more at Tesco Express for loyalty scheme members compared to their prices at the larger stores, adding up to more than £500 over a year.

Two pints of own brand semi-skimmed milk cost eight per cent more at all three supermarket convenience stores – with or without a loyalty card.

Which? Retail editor Ele Clark said: ‘Unfortunately, many people are without easy access to transport or online deliveries which leaves them reliant on smaller nearby stores.

‘Convenience stores may often be easier to travel to and handy for shoppers who need to stock up on a few essentials, but people who have to use them regularly will be spending significantly more over the course of a year than those with access to larger supermarkets.

Some groceries, such as 500g bag of own label fusilli, were as much as 31% more at local branches than at larger stores (file photo)

‘Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Tesco have committed to offer a broader range of budget and lower-priced ranges in their convenience stores as a result of Which? campaigning, but this latest research shows that more can still be done to increase the range of affordable product options for those consumers who rely on convenience stores.’

A Sainsbury’s spokeswoman said: ‘Our Sainsbury’s Local stores, which tend to be located in city or town centre locations, often have higher operating costs.’

A spokesperson for Morrisons said the store was ‘always working hard to keep prices down and competitive’ while ‘maintaining high standards’.

They added: ‘We know our customers and business partners would like to see the More Card accepted in Morrisons Daily stores, so we are actively working on introducing the offer into our convenience estate in the coming months.’