Everyone is looking to save money as the cost-of-living crisis sees prices soar at most shops. While the majority of people know that shopping at the smaller outlets will set you back more than the bigger ones, when a Bristol woman compared the two she was shocked by how big the difference was.
Heading to her nearest Tesco Express in Bristol, Jackie Annett, who works as a money journalist for the Express, bought 23 items that she would typically buy in the larger stores. She found those items cost her £9.08 more at the smaller Express branch, and she worked out that if she shopped there every week she would be £472.16 down over an entire year.
Jackie said: "Before the cost of living crisis, I used to love popping to my local Express store in Bristol around 9pm to see what Yellow Sticker Bargains I could find. However, I’ve noticed lately that the Yellow Sticker bargains are what I can only describe as a joke - I mean if a small pack of sushi is discounted to £4 in the reduced section it begs the question, ‘How much was it in the first place?’
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"I think supermarkets should be ashamed of themselves for hiking prices at their smaller stores - especially as many people are struggling to make ends meet during the worst cost of living crisis in 40 years."
While some items like milk and bread were only 10 pence more in smaller stores, it all adds up. Some food items were much more expensive - the worst offenders were chicken (+99p), pasta (+59p), mincemeat +(£1.65) rice (+65p) and orange juice (+65p).
But there were a few items that were actually cheaper at her local store, including salad. She added: "It pays not to forget your Clubcard either - the difference in price on some items for non-Clubcard holders can be nothing short of eye-watering."
Consumer watchdog Which? recently carried out its own research and found Britons doing their big shop at Tesco convenience stores could end up spending more than £800 extra a year. Sue Davies, Which? head of food policy, said: “Shopping at a supermarket convenience shop rather than a bigger store comes at a cost – at a time when soaring grocery prices are putting huge pressure on household budgets.”
Tesco said yellow sticker items available at any one time can vary depending on the time of day. A spokesperson said: “We work hard to ensure our customers get great value at Tesco, whether they shop with us online, in a large store, or in an Express store.
"Our Express stores offer a range of extremely competitive own-brand products, as well as offering great value deals through Clubcard Prices. Clubcard Prices offer customers up to 50 percent off on thousands of lines – from frozen food to branded cupboard fillers – helping them spend less with us."
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