SAINSBURY’S is making a huge change to its shopping rules and it promises to save customers money.
The supermarket giant is attempting to win back shoppers from Aldi by matching prices on products at 1,400 convenience stores.
From today, the items will be marked on shelves as as the same as Aldi.
Items that will be price matched to the discounter include daily staples like milk, bread, butter, jam, peanut butter, honey, pasta, rice, salad, tuna, chicken, steak, potatoes and vegetable oil.
Sainsbury’s said the number of products price matched to Aldi will vary store to store.
It added that the products it has chosen in each store are ones that people buy a lot of.
Sainsbury’s already offers the Aldi price match in its large supermarkets.
Until now, its convenience stores have promoted “Pocket Friendly Prices”, rather than the price match promise.
The campaign was introduced in stores in Spring 2023, showcasing the low prices of products including own-brand chicken breasts, butter and cherry tomatoes.
But this will be replaced with Aldi Price March from tomorrow.
Simon Roberts, chief executive at Sainsbury’s, said: “In our Sainsbury’s Locals, we’ve worked hard to offer market leading prices on essential items and popular breakfast, lunch and dinner staples.
“We have also refreshed our Local store layouts and rebalanced space, increasing the number of products in store by 7% and adding more food on the move products.
“With Christmas just around the corner, we know that every penny counts and we are committed to helping our customers make the most of the festive season.”
Aldi and Lidl have been taking customers from traditional supermarkets over the last decade.
This is because the cost of living crisis has meant shoppers have been seeking more budget-friendly options.
It’s led to supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s, Asda and Tesco to be inventive to bring back value-hunting shoppers.
Earlier this year, Morrisons revealed it would price match Aldi on over 200 products.
It came after Asda took a similar step, becoming the first chain to vow to match both of the discount supermarkets.
Other retail giants, such as Tesco, offer a singular Aldi promise.
Sainsbury’s has not revealed the full list of items which are included in the match guarantee.
Here is a selection of the items included in the supermarket’s Aldi price match:
- by Sainsbury’s Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce 400g – 40p
- by Sainsbury’s Chopped Tomatoes Can 400g – 47p
- by Sainsbury’s Tuna Chunks in Spring Water 145g – 65p
- by Sainsbury’s Farmhouse Kitchen Adult Dog Smooth Pâté with Chicken 300g – 65p
- by Sainsbury’s Spaghetti Pasta 500g – 75p
- by Sainsbury’s Baking Potatoes x4 – 79p
- by Sainsbury’s Basmati Rice 500g – 92p
- by Sainsbury’s Aubergine – 95p
- by Sainsbury’s Iceberg Lettuce – 89p
- by Sainsbury’s Whole Cucumber – 89p
- by Sainsbury’s Large Ripe & Ready Avocado – 89p
- Kingsmill 50/50 Medium 800g – £1.30
- by Sainsbury’s British Semi Skimmed Milk 2.27L (4 pint) – £1.45
- by Sainsbury’s British Butter, Unsalted 250g – £1.89
- by Sainsbury’s Vegetable Oil 1L – £1.99
- by Sainsbury’s 21 Day Matured Rump Steak 225g – £3.38
- by Sainsbury’s 5% Fat Beef Mince 500g – £3.49
- by Sainsbury’s British Fresh Chicken Breast Fillets Skinless & Boneless 640g – £4.42
It comes as grocery price inflation edged up again in September as households turned back to promoted items as they sought to manage finances, figures show.
Supermarket prices are now 2% more expensive than a year ago, up from August’s 1.7%, according to data from analysts Kantar.
Prices are rising fastest in markets such as chilled soft drinks, chocolate confectionery and skin care.
Meanwhile, the average price paid for toilet and kitchen roll is 6% lower year-on-year, and dog and cat food are 4% and 3% cheaper respectively, Kantar found.
How to save money on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.