Major supermarket chains have been accused of hiking their prices in smaller ‘local’ shops. An investigation allegedly found that shopping for groceries can cost more than 20 percent more in the chain’s convenience shops, when compared to prices in their larger stores.
The probe compared the price of 42 products in Tesco Express, Morrisons Daily and Sainsbury’s Local with the cost at their full-size supermarkets.
It found that Morrisons Daily had the biggest price hikes, with shoppers paying 21 per cent more, one average, for produce.
Consumer Champion Which? found that Sainsbury’s and Tesco had less variation in prices. However, Nectar members could still be paying an average of 14 per cent more at Sainsbury’s Local.
Meanwhile, Tesco Clubcard holders were charged 11 per cent more, on average, at Tesco Express – but there were some much bigger price variations.
A pack of six Mr Kipling Bakewell Slices was, for example, £2.32 on average at Tesco Express, but were £1.50 at Tesco supermarkets – a 54% difference.
Meanwhile, a 500g bag of own-label fusilli was, at 85p, 20p more expensive at a Sainsbury’s Local than at a larger Sainsbury’s supermarket at 65p instead of 85p. This was a whopping 31% price difference, reported the Mail Online.
Other essentials. like loaves of bread, also saw price hikes. A medium white Hovis loaf cost 14% more at Morrisons Daily – and 12% more at both Sainsbury’s Local and Tesco Express.
Which? Retail editor Ele Clark suggested these price hikes could have a big impact on shoppers who can’t access transport or online deliveries.
Ele recognised these stores offered convenience and were useful for people needing to stock up on a few essentials.
However, the retail expert said that shoppers who relied on them would be spending significantly more over the course of a year than those who had access to larger supermarkets.
Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Tesco had all vowed to offer a broader range of budget and lower-priced ranges in their convenience stores as a result of Which? campaigning.
However, Ele said this investigation shows the range of affordable product options for those consumers who rely on convenience stores still needs to be increased and improved.
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.”
The Express has contacted Tesco for comment.