Tesco shoppers who use their Tesco Clubcard at Tesco Express have been handed a £520 warning.
Analysis of the supermarket giant has found that customer shopping at its smaller corner shop/convenience store style shops are paying a premium over using ‘big Tesco’, even if they have a Clubcard.
Consumer retail magazine Which? looked at every supermarket brand to analyse their prices at both large supermarkets and convenience stores run by supermarkets such as Tesco Express.
They found that on average, in their test of 42 key groceries, Tesco Extra customers are paying £10 more per shop than normal Tesco supermarket customers even with a Clubcard for the Clubcard discounts, which over the course of one weekly shop per week for a year would be £520 more.
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 massive 54 percent difference.
Tesco also charged an 8 percent premium for milk at its Extra stores.
Which? Said: “In total, our 42 groceries would have averaged around £11 (14%) more at Sainsbury’s Local than Sainsbury’s supermarkets, and £10 (11%) more at Tesco Express than Tesco supermarkets for loyalty members, which adds up to more than £500 extra over a year.
“Overall, Tesco Express was the cheapest of the convenience stores – but only if you have a Clubcard. The total cost of our shop averaged £108.28 for members and £117.30 for non-members.”
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.
“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.”
Which added in its analysis: “When we put our findings to Tesco, it said its Express stores are mainly in built-up areas where rents, rates and operating costs are higher, and the difference in prices of some products reflect these increased costs. It also said customers make different ‘shopper journeys’ at Express stores, so it tailors Clubcard offers to suit customer shopping habits.”
