Great big supermarket rip-off
How buying in bulk can cost you a lot more
FAMILIES buying in bulk at supermarkets to save money could be making a HUGE mistake.
For a News of the World investigation reveals customers are often WORSE OFF going for "big value" packs from beer, milk and crisps to washing powder and toilet paper.
And they'd SAVE MONEY on a raft of everyday goods by buying smaller sizes instead of believing bigger means a better bargain.
A retail expert who analysed the probe by MySupermarket.co.uk at Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrison's and Ocado - the Waitrose online partner - told us: "We must conclude this is something stores do on purpose." In our findings we ignored short-term offers which would make smaller packs the best deal.
Dearer
At Sainsbury's Carling lager is 12P PER CAN dearer in a 15-pack compared to a four-pack. Whole milk at Asda costs 2P PER PINT more in a six pints pack than a four.
Tesco sweetcorn will cost you a TENTH MORE per can in bulk. Crisps, cereals and washing powder were also dearer per unit in big packs.
At Ocado HP Sauce was 46 PER CENT dearer in a bigger pack. Morrison's soft spread butter was a FIFTH CHEAPER in a small pack.
Kiti Soininen of market researchers Mintel, said: "Supermarkets should take responsibility for encouraging us to believe bigger packs are better value." Sainsbury's and Asda last night admitted mistakes had been made on some big value packs and promised to amend prices. Tesco and Morrison's pointed out that they display unit prices on shelves so customers can make comparisons.
A Tesco spokesman said: "We work hard to keep prices down for our customers."
SEE captaincash.co.uk for cashback on your first online shop at MySupermarket.co.uk as well as Asda, Sainsbury's Ocado and Tesco.
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This article has 10 comments
I only shop now at either Lidl or Farmstores for all my basics plus extras. The BIG superstores are just too exspensive for my family to shop at. My three children are used to eating the unbranded foods now and I think they prefer them. My wife likes Asda and Tescos, but we couldn`t get real value for what little money we have. Every penny is accounted for in our house. Even Big Brothers` basic shopping budget was higher than ours, the kids used to laugh if we had something nice and say `YES!!! a luxury shopping budget, we passed the task!!!`. Times is `ard!!
By paul.. Posted February 18 2010 at 1:30 AM.
Why is comparing 100g confusing? if a large can of corn states 30 pence per 100g and a small can of corn states 38 pence per 100g, then it obviously makes sense to buy the larger can as you are saving 8 pence per 100g. If the large can weighs 800g (and you can use it all) then you will save 64 pence overall (Compared to say buying 2 smaller cans. Cant people add up in the UK.
By mik.. Posted February 16 2010 at 11:10 PM.
i find asda to be the biggest rip of supermarket i agree with all what people say i compared my shopping list for 5 weeks and checked thier roll back prices against what it said on the shelf for instance 1 week i paid 75p for soap and the next it was rolled back from 1.05 to 89p roll back yer right
By teresa jones.. Posted February 15 2010 at 1:15 AM.
How about the great nicotine patch rip off at the supermarkets
Tesco - NiQuitin Clear Patches - 7 Days - £13.00 reduced to £9.80
Asda - NiQuintin Clear Patches - 7 Days - £6.00 reduced to £5.00 for the same patches.
However if you buy the 14day pack from Asda it will cost a massive £32.00, this is the same as buy 2 of the 7day pack which will only cost £10.00 in asda!
By Mark.. Posted February 14 2010 at 10:10 PM.
I noticed this practise in Asda two years ago, and just last week, saw that a 6pack of diet coke was £1.50 <30p/can>while a 12 pack was priced at almost £4.00. I started to see this trend take shape and from then on, as with tea bags, milk, and other basic items, looked at the per/gram/ltr/etc every time I do the weekly shop. The supermarkets are well aware that they are ripping off many,especially the "big shoppers" who do a multi buy monthly......my tip?? Go when its not busy,and take time to read the price/per labels and save a small fortune!!
By fraser.. Posted February 14 2010 at 2:57 PM.
Smart shoppers use Aldi and Lidl. Prices are a lot lower than the big supermarkets.
By Dave F.. Posted February 14 2010 at 9:09 AM.
It pays to shop around and to compare all sizes and offers across several stores. This is now much easier as most of the information is on-line.
By Barry Gorman.. Posted February 14 2010 at 9:02 AM.
Can people not add up as do the shop and work out the differences in smaller or bigger packs??!!
I shop with my toddler and can do that. My neighbour takes his two children and they work it out. Several elderly people on our road can work it out.
So who are the ones that being ripped off??!!
By gatwo.. Posted February 14 2010 at 8:42 AM.
The 'unit' prices mentioned by tesco and morrisons is typical, they do not quote per item, but per 100g which is confusing and not altogether 'truthful' surprise surprise!! As food prices are so expensive anyway at the moment another money saving tip is to bag your own fruit and veg, take a look you can sometimes pay up to 50% more for produce because it is already in a bag rather than picking it out and putting it in a bag yourself!!!!! i know which i prefer!
By louise.. Posted February 14 2010 at 8:33 AM.
I have worked in the food manufacturing industry for the past thirty five years, so I could have saved you the trouble of an investigation! Basicaly, the factories are set up to run the most popular lines and as such any deviation from this costs money, be it Bulk Packs or Small packs. The longer the production run, the lower the cost, meaning far greater savings at shop floor level.
So, if you want the best value, you need to buy the best selling size. If you don't know the best seller, ask the shelf packer in the supermarket.
Bernard Scarlett.... Cape Town
By B J Scarlett.. Posted February 14 2010 at 7:46 AM.