Purchasing groceries at local convenience stores could be up to 21% more expensive than at larger supermarket branches.
- A comprehensive study by Which? compared prices of 42 common grocery items across various store formats.
- Morrisons Daily emerged as the store with the highest price difference, reaching an average of 21% more.
- Tesco Express and Sainsbury’s Local also showed higher prices, particularly affecting loyalty program members.
- The report highlights the disadvantage faced by those without access to larger supermarkets.
A recent study conducted by Which? has revealed that consumers who shop at local convenience stores may pay as much as 21% more compared to shoppers at full-sized supermarkets. The study meticulously compared 42 popular grocery items across Morrisons Daily, Sainsbury’s Local, and Tesco Express during June and July. The investigation aimed to highlight pricing disparities between smaller outlets and their larger counterparts.
Morrisons Daily exhibited the most significant price discrepancies, with certain branded and own-label products costing, on average, 21% more than at Morrisons’ full-sized supermarkets. Additionally, members of the supermarket’s More loyalty scheme could find themselves paying up to 22% more due to the unavailability of the scheme at smaller outlets.
Price differences were also notable at Tesco Express and Sainsbury’s Local, albeit to a lesser extent. At Tesco, a general price increase of 10% was observed, with Clubcard members facing a slightly higher markup of 11%. Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s demonstrated a 5% average increase, yet Nectar card users might experience a 14% price hike when shopping at local stores.
Tesco articulated that the variance in Clubcard Prices at these outlets is a result of adjusting offers according to the nature of purchases typically made at smaller stores.
Which? retail editor Ele Clark noted, “Unfortunately, many people are without easy access to transport or online deliveries, leaving 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.” Her statement underscores the financial implications faced by those without the option of accessing larger retail stores.
The Which? study elucidates the financial impact imposed on consumers dependent on smaller convenience outlets.
