Asda's new budget range has been launched and the prices of products revealed. The Just Essentials range, which replaces the Smart Price products, has 293 items in it.
It includes fresh goods such as meat, fish and poultry, as well as frozen items and cupboard fillers. Non-food goods include household cleaning products and toiletries.
The initial launch consists of around 60 products, which double that available by the end of June and 267 by mid-August. The full 293 items will be on sale by the end of the year, Asda says.
The supermarket will stock the full range in all 581 of its food stores, as well as online, reports the Mirror. It says it will continue to sell Smart Price products until the phased roll-out of Just Essentials is complete.
Sam Dickson, vice president Asda brand and propositions, said: “Nine out of ten of our customers have told us they are concerned about the cost-of-living crisis, with 44% of them saying they’re actively looking for ways to make their grocery budget go further.
“We’ve developed Just Essentials by Asda to offer our customers the same value they know and love from our Smart Price range, but across a much larger and more diverse range of products, and with a bold brand that is hard to miss. Our mission is to meet all household needs through Just Essentials by Asda, and ensure that families can enjoy nutritious food, no matter their budget.”
How much is Asda 'Just Essentials'?
Asda has started to roll out some of its Just Essentials range online and in stores from this week. When the Mirror checked online today, the supermarket had listed the following products on its website:
- Garlic bread (170g) - 32p
- Sultana scones (ten pack) - 49p
- Macaroni cheese (400g) - £1.18
- Fish pie (400g) - £1.30
- Cheese and tomato snack pizza (114g) - 49p
- Ham and cheese snack pizza (114g) - 52p
- Cheese and tomato pizza (300g) - 99p
- Pepperoni pizza (292g) - £1.20
- Whole chicken (typically 1.2kg) - £2.48
Are these the cheapest prices you'll find for these types of products? It depends on what you're buying. Asda has a 170g garlic bread listed online for 32p, which is the same price as what you'll find at Aldi.
The supermarkets are also neck-and-neck for their whole chickens. Asda's one costs £2.49 for 1.2kg while Aldi charges £2.99 for a slightly bigger 1.59kg bird. These both work out at around £2.07 per kg.
But a snack cheese and tomato pizza from Aldi that weighs 114g - the same as the Asda offering - costs 55p, versus 52p from Asda. Asda is also cheaper for a 400g macaroni cheese, costing £1.18 at the supermarket. You'll pay £1.99 for the same size at Aldi.
A fish pie from Asda costs £1.30 for a 400g product, which is the same price as Tesco - so there wouldn't be any saving there. In short, you should still compare prices using a website such as Trolley.co.uk to make sure you're getting the best deal.
