Discount online supermarket Motatos is coming to the UK next month.
The brand is already a hit in the Nordic countries and it is set to rival the likes of Aldi and Lidl when it launches in Britain in June. The online store cuts prices by offering surplus food from wholesalers.
This food is often deemed surplus because of new packaging, a change in seasons or short ‘best before’ dates. Often it will end up in landfill, so Motatos has decided to sell it off cheaply instead.
Read more: Cheap supermarket that rivals Aldi and Lidl opening in the UK
What is Motatos?
Also known as Matsmart in parts of Europe, the company first launched eight years ago in Sweden. Since then it has also proven to be a hit with shoppers in Denmark, Finland and Germany.
The products it offers are known as ‘ambient’ - ones stored at room temperature, including tinned foods and shelf stable goods such as snacks and drinks. It will also offer household, pet and beauty items - though it does not stock fresh, refrigerated or frozen food.
Motatos reviews
On review website Trustpilot, Matsmart Sweden scores 4.1 out of 5 stars - which is classed as ‘great’. According to the site, 63% of reviews marked it as ‘excellent’.
The most recent review was 5 stars from Maria M, who says: “Good value for money!”
G in Stockholm also gives it 5 stars, adding: “It works well every time. I order about once a month.”
However, some reviewers are not so keen. One, with the username kund, gives the grocer just 1 star out of 5 - saying: “Huge difference between things that are going to expire versus things that have clearly gone bad. Their customer service is just as bad as their delivery time.”
Delivery times have clearly been an issue for Matsmart recently too, as an anonymous 1 star review reads: “The bill and voting arrived but still no delivery!” Reviewer Aletta said: " Fantastic prices and great saving the environment however delivery can be very slow."
Motatos Germany, meanwhile, scores 4.4 out of 5 on Trustpilot - with 69% of reviewers describing it as ‘excellent’.
One reviewer, Lucia Prieto, rates it 5 out of 5 stars - adding: “I love it! Delicious food, packed without plastic.”
Another, called Jonathan, also gives it 5 stars - saying: “As ordered, well packed and punctual.”
How does Motatos work?
Motatos is an online-only redistribution supermarket that delivers to your house. Deliveries take around one to three working days and fees are based on the number of boxes required to package the order.
It will be one of a small handful of online surplus stock supermarkets that operate in the UK. Distributors that have agreed to come on-board with Motatos include Wholegood and Pricecheck.
