The Automatic Vending Association (AVA) has called on Local Authorities in Scotland to support the ‘vital vending industry’ as new research shows two thirds of operators have seen turnover reduced, with some losing all revenue completely.
Across Scotland, AVA members have experienced resistance when seeking help from Local Authorities despite specific funds being allocated in the form of ‘Additional Restrictions Grants’ to support businesses impacted by closures in the Leisure and Hospitality sector.
Ensuring that keyworkers have access to food and drink while carrying out their essential work has been at the forefront of thinking for those in the vending and food to go industry since to start of the COVID-19 pandemic. With restaurants and canteens being forced to close the option to get food on the go has been a lifeline to those on the front line of fighting the virus and saving lives.
Scottish Board Director of the Automatic Vending Association, Jane MacDonald (above), said: “Vending is a vital lifeline for those working to get Scotland through the pandemic and our members need support to continue to be there for our keyworkers.
“With canteens, leisure facilities and workplaces forced to close and numbers of those commuting cut significantly, vending has been severely impacted and as our data shows the level of impact is high.
“While products in other retail areas can be stored and sold at a later date, in the food and drink sector, expirations dates have passed during the forced closures resulting in further losses for these businesses.
“Food to go is an essential part of the food service industry, worth approximately £2.17 billion to the Scottish economy, and without the support of funding now, these businesses will not be around when the world eventually goes back to normal.”
For further information on the Automatic Vending Association visit:
Morrisons steps in to help struggling British Pig Farmers
– EU pork exports have collapsed in recent weeks –
– Morrisons slashes its pork, sausage and bacon prices to help farmers sell their products –
– Pork loin to cost just £4 per kilo and gammon just 90p per 100g –
Photo credit: Jon Super/PA Wire
From today, Morrisons is offering cuts of pork, gammon, sausages and bacon at knockout prices, to help British pig farmers.
Britain is a significant exporter of pork. However, for the last six weeks the EU has taken substantially less British meat. As a consequence, a pork mountain is building up on British farms, and pig farmers are struggling to find a home for their produce. Morrisons has stepped in by slashing pork prices for 10 weeks from 22 February. It hopes the offers will boost demand and play a part in helping the farmers out.
The prices of all of Morrisons British pork products will be cut. A pork shoulder – normally costing £4.20 per kilo – will cost just £2; a pork loin – normally costing £6 per kilo – will cost just £4; and a pork tenderloin – normally costing £7.50 – will cost just £6.
The majority of Morrisons The Best Sausages and Bacon will also be on offer at 2 for just £4, and all of Morrisons British gammon will be cut by one third to just 90p per 100g.
Morrisons is also offering bacon or sausage sandwiches and a hot drink to take away from their cafes for only £3. Customers can pre-order their take away for pickup by calling 0330 808 9733.
Photo credit: Jon Super/PA Wire
Sophie Throup, Head of Agriculture at Morrisons, said: “Britain produces some of the finest pig breeds and pork products in the world. But pig farmers are currently facing difficult times.
“We’re British farming’s biggest supermarket customer and feel it’s our duty to help. So we’re introducing knockout deals across our store – and hope this will encourage our customers to help farmers by buying more pork.”
Morrisons is British farming’s biggest supermarket customer. And has its our own expert Livestock and Produce Teams, who work directly with farmers, and take meat, fruit and vegetables direct from farms to its 18 meat, fruit and vegetable preparation sites.
A new campaign celebrating the wide range of produce grown and made in Scotland has been launched with the help of ‘The Great British Bake Off’ winner, Peter Sawkins.
‘Scotland brings so much to the table’, a joint campaign by the Scottish Government and Scotland Food & Drink, encourages shoppers to explore Scotland’s vast natural larder and try more of the world renowned produce available on our doorstep.
The campaign, which has a dedicated website onthetable.scot for people to find out how they can get involved, forms part of the Scottish Food and Drink Recovery Plan to support the industry to recover from coronavirus (COVID-19) and Brexit.
With fewer opportunities to eat out over the past year, more people have been cooking meals at home from scratch – but many aren’t actually aware of how our shopping habits can directly benefit the Scottish food and drink industry.
Lots of supermarkets, local retailers, farmers’ markets and online delivery sites stock a huge range and selection of affordable, health, locally grown, made and sourced Scottish produce that the campaign encourages people to try more of.
A recent survey carried out by the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership revealed that there has been an increase in people who have bought more locally sourced foods since the start of the pandemic.
The survey revealed that of those adults in Scotland who are red meat buyers, 14% started to buy local or bought more local red meat since the start of COVID-19 pandemic and 17% of adults started to buy or bought more locally grown and sourced vegetables.
The research also showed that people who were buying more locally sourced products did so to show support to local farmers and producers, knowing that they were helping the local economy. They also felt the products would be fresher and of greater quality.
Peter Sawkins uses and champions Scottish products in his cooking and baking every day and is encouraging us all to follow suit.
Commenting on the campaign, Peter Sawkins said: “Scotland has so many products that go beyond the classic haggis and salmon, from everyday staples such as eggs, milk and vegetables to the more unusual celeriac, nori and scallops.
“When I’m cooking at home I try to cook with seasonal local Scottish products as much as possible. Although most foods are available in the shops all year round, it’s important to buy locally sourced food when they are in season as they are never beaten on taste.”
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “Scotland is renowned globally for our amazing natural larder and we must do all we can to protect and promote our successful food and drink sector. From farm to fork, from pier to plate, there is something for everyone to try. And much of our seasonal produce is affordable and readily available.
“We know the coronavirus pandemic and Brexit have both had a huge impact on the way people shop, eat and drink and it is more important than ever to show support for our local producers and everyone working in our food and drink industry. The Scottish Government is committed to doing just that and I am pleased to launch this campaign, which can help the sector recover from recent challenges.
“Whether you are a self-confessed foodie or a busy parent looking to make a budget-friendly family dinner, there is a wide range of Scottish ingredients and produce for every taste, budget and diet. I encourage everyone to explore what Scotland brings to the table.”
James Withers, Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink, said: “Scotland’s food and drink sector is underpinned by farmers, fishermen, food and drink producers with a passion for what they are producing matched by their talent and ambition.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for them to have their hard work and passion seen by consumers. Our industry has an amazing story to tell and this our chance to tell it.
“We have always had the ingredients for success but after a tough 12 months, our food and drink businesses need the support of the Scottish public now more than ever.
“From our award-winning meat and seafood to innovative bakeries and dairies, it is great to showcase the breadth of fantastic local producers and encourage Scots to appreciate the unrivalled larder that we are so lucky to have on our doorstep.”
To find out just how much Scotland brings to the table and how to support the Scottish food and drink industry, tuck into onthetable.scot
Aldi has been named the UK’s favourite in-store supermarket in Which?’s annual satisfaction survey, while Ocado slipped down the online grocery rankings after shoppers struggled to secure delivery slots during the coronavirus pandemic.
The consumer champion surveyed more than 3,000 members of the public about their experience with supermarkets, asking customers to rate their shopping experience in a range of categories such as in-store appearance and layout, quality of produce, availability of online delivery slots and value for money.
German discounter Aldi emerged as the top in-store supermarket in the UK after receiving a five-star rating for value for money – the only supermarket to achieve this in the survey – and a 73 per cent customer score.
While Aldi received mediocre ratings across all other categories, including two stars for store layout and three stars for the quality of its own-label products and fresh food, price was the most important consideration for customers when choosing where to shop.
In 2020, Aldi was the cheapest supermarket to shop in six of the eight months it was included in Which?’s monthly supermarket price analysis.
In this year’s online supermarket survey, Ocado fell to joint-fifth place alongside Waitrose and Morrisons. It struggled to meet demand when the pandemic hit and was ultimately forced to close its website and app – the latter for several months. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it received just two-star ratings for the availability of delivery slots.
It also received two-stars for value for money, reflecting its regular appearance as the second-most expensive supermarket after Waitrose in our monthly analysis.
One Ocado customer told Which?: “During [the first] lockdown I really struggled to get delivery slots, despite being officially classified as vulnerable and having a monthly delivery pass.”
Sainsbury’s was the highest-scoring online supermarket with an overall customer score of 71 per cent and a four-star rating for the availability of delivery slots.
It was also named a Which? Recommended Provider (WRP) for its online service. The company’s high standards for food hygiene and clear nutritional labelling on its own-brand products also contributed to the decision to name it a WRP.
M&S came second in the in-store supermarkets table after receiving a five-star rating for the appearance and layout of its stores and the quality of its own-label and fresh products.
In joint-third place were Lidl, Tesco and Waitrose. Much like its rival Aldi, Lidl performed well when it came to value for money, achieving four-star ratings, but it failed to impress customers in other categories.
Despite receiving five stars for store layout and food quality, Waitrose was let down by its two-star rating for value for money.
Co-op finished bottom of the in-store shopping table as it failed to impress customers in key categories. It received just one-star for value for money, and two-stars for its store layout and food quality.
Harry Rose, Which? Magazine Editor, said:“Many households have felt the pinch during the pandemic, and value for money was the most important factor when shopping in-store in our annual supermarket survey – which explains why Aldi came out on top.
“Online supermarkets have also been a lifeline for many people during the pandemic, and while Sainsbury’s rose to the challenge by massively increasing its delivery capacity, Ocado’s reputation took a hit after the scale of demand meant it stopped accepting new customers and shut down its app at the height of lockdown.”
Looking to add some cat-themed fun to your Pancake Day? Or would you simply like to give your breakfast some moggy magic? Then have a go at our pawsome pancakes, decorated to look like cute kitties.
You could take inspiration from our designs or style your pancakes to look just like your own cat. Don’t forget to share photos of your creations with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, we’d love to see them!
Remember, these pancakes are for humans only. Don’t feed them to your cat!
Mix together the flour, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt in a bowl.
Gradually pour in the milk, whisking as you go, until a smooth batter forms.
Add 1tbsp of oil to a non-stick pan and put it on medium-low heat.
Add a couple of tablespoons of batter to the pan and shape it into a cat face (alternatively, you could make round pancakes and cut them into cat shapes later).
Cook the pancake for 3-4 minutes, until the surface starts to bubble, then flip it over and cook for a further 2-3 minutes until it’s golden on both sides.
Repeat the process, cooking your pancakes in batches until you’ve used up the batter. You may need to add a little more oil to the pan each time.
Use your toppings to create cat faces on your pancakes. Don’t forget the eyes, nose, mouth, whiskers and ears!
Looking for more cat-themed baking inspiration? Discover our Kitty Bakes series of recipes over on our YouTube channel
Valentine’s Day this year, like so many other occasions, will be very different from what we’re used to. But that doesn’t mean you can’t recreate a romantic meal for two from the comfort of your own home.
To help make Valentine’s Day a night to remember, Rebecca Snowden, Interior Style Advisor at Furniture And Choice, alongside a leading Michelin starred front of house manager, reveal how to create a romantic, Michelin star worthy dinner.
Get the lighting right
Rebecca says: “Candles go hand-in-hand with romance thanks to the ambience they create when the lights are turned down low. Placing as many as is safe around the dining room and on the table itself will help create a lovely atmosphere.”
Dimitri Marqueteau, Front of House Manager at Michelin Starred restaurant Bohemia, adds: “For a romantic evening, don’t forget candles, but not a scented one as this could distract from the food. The light from candles rather than harsh light from modern bulbs will set the scene and bring a warmth to the room.”
Pay attention to the little things
Achieving a Michelin star involves painstaking judging, which means every tiny detail needs to be just right. When it comes to setting your table, Dimitri advises: “White tablecloths are a must to create that special feeling and they must be creaseless. We achieve this by re-ironing them when laid on the table, it is the small attention to detail that will be noticed on special occasions. All cutlery should be hand polished and placed perfectly on the table.”
Setting the table
Achieving an elegant dining table set-up needn’t be complicated but it can make all the difference when it comes to creating a cosy and romantic atmosphere. Rebecca advises: “When it comes to setting the table, keeping it simple is key for an elegant feel. Avoid clutter in the room and try not to overcrowd the table so you have plenty of space while dining. In particular, steer clear of any statement centrepieces, as these can easily get in the way of you both making eye contact, or perhaps holding hands across the table.”
Get your pre-dinner drinks just right
To get you in the mood, Dimitri advises: “Pre-dinner drinks are the perfect way to set the mood. For romantic meals, we always recommend starting with a Lanique Rose Fizz made with Lanique – Spirit of Rose, distilled from rose petals, topped up with Prosecco or Champagne. Valentine’s is definitely the evening to drink better rather than more, so select wines you know you both like and push the boat out a bit price wise, to really feel a bit special.”
Minimise your kitchen time
Nothing kills romance quite like having to run to and from the kitchen throughout the meal. Dimitri advises: “Ensure the food you select is easy to prepare or can be prepared in advance as you don’t want to have to be getting up and cooking all night, rather than being able to talk and laugh together. Consider the finish at home meal kits from top restaurants, to ensure the food is special, but simple to prepare so you and your partner can both enjoy your whole evening together.
If you’re not spending Valentine’s Day with your partner, there is no need to miss out on a romantic evening.
Rebecca offers her top tips on how to celebrate the season of love even if you can’t be physically together: “Valentine’s Day does not have to be just another day. Given the difficult times the country is facing, there is no better time to find the joy in little things and Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to dress up and sit down to a lovingly cooked meal.
“Of course, there will be many people across the country who can’t spend Valentine’s with their loved one this year. There are so many ways to connect virtually now to still make the most of the day, such as taking the time to cook and eat together over a video call, creating a shared playlist to listen to, or watching a movie together on a platform like Netflix Party.
“We hope these tips have got you in the mood for a romantic evening every Michelin starred restaurant would be proud of and have inspired you to do something different this Valentine’s Day.
“Whether you’re spending it with your loved one, family or even friends, this is an opportunity to feel connected and keep spirits high.”
It may not be the Valentine’s Day we expected, but lockdown lovers and sassy singletons can still indulge from the comfort of their own home with Aldi’s Specialbuy Scottish Oysters.
On sale from today (11th February), there’s no need to shell out for the romantic delicacy, because love struck Aldi customers can pick up a pack of six fresh Scottish Oysters for just £2.99 (360g).
They do say the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach and at these everyday amazing prices, there really is no reason to be shellfish this Valentine’s Day.
The oysters are being supplied to Aldi specially for Valentine’s Day by a co-operative of small-scale shellfish farmers based on the West Coast of Scotland, who belong to the Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group.
Grown in mesh bags that are laid on low trestles on the shore at the low tide mark, the oysters grow naturally by feeding from the nutrient-rich tidal flows of Scotland’s seas. As the oysters grow, they are checked daily by the farmers and regularly sorted by hand to ensure optimum quality.
Derek Sharp, Commercial Manager at Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group, said: “With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it is great to see Aldi support our small-scale farmers, who work collaboratively to provide the best quality oysters.
“Our oyster farms are Friend of the Sea certified, which demonstrates the use of responsible management systems, sustainability of production, social accountability and full traceability. Aldi customers can be confident that they are buying top quality produce.”
Although typically associated with all things romance, oysters also boast a wealth of health benefits. Rich in both vitamins and minerals, they are a fantastic source of Omega-3, meaning that it won’t just be your other half looking after your heart this Valentine’s Day.
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said:“Oysters are known to be a delicacy, and we are really pleased to be working with the Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group to give our customers a taste of luxury, at excellent value, this Valentine’s Day.
“This is another step forward in our championing of top-tier Scottish produce, and a chance for customers to celebrate their love in style. Aldi’s oysters will make the perfect appetiser for a special Valentine’s feast at home.”
Aldi’s fresh Scottish oysters are available from all UK stores from today (11th February) while stocks last. You can find your nearest Aldi store here.
‘A day in the life’ of an oyster farmer
Gordon Turnbull, Isle of Mull Oysters Ltd
“An oyster farmer’s schedule depends on the tide and my days are dictated by the moon. Typically, I’ll arrive at my oyster shed on the Isle of Mull around 7am to sort and grade the oysters from the previous day.
“I’ll wait for the tide to go out which reveals our trestle tables, home to between three and four million oysters at any one time.
“Then its go, go, go. The oysters that aren’t ready for market are returned to the shore. We’re really working against the tide as we only have a short window, between two and three hours, when our trestle tables are visible above the water.
When the tide comes back in we can take a short break and then its all go again a few hours later in the afternoon.
“This is my typical day during spring tide, which occurs twice each lunar month, during full or new moons when the average tidal ranges are slightly larger. A typical spring tide lasts for about seven to 10 days and during this time, we work seven days a week.
“Neap tides occur twice a month as well: when the sun and moon are at right angles to the Earth. When this happens, the tide does not go out far enough for us to access our trestle tables, so it’s a time for the oysters to relax and concentrate on growing, and I can get on with paperwork and general maintenance on the farm.
“It takes an oyster three to four years before it is ready for market, so there is a lot of checking and sorting involved in the job. It’s important that as the oysters grow, they are rearranged so that they live next to ones of similar size: this helps the oysters get sufficient nutrients from the sea and allows them to grow at an optimum rate.
“The conditions at the moment are perfect for harvesting oysters. High pressure is great because it makes the tide go out more, and that combined with clear, cold days is just ideal. Oysters tend to triple in size between June and October, so we spend the winter months sorting and harvesting, and the summer months sorting and carrying out the husbandry that creates the best possible oyster.
“Being part of the Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group has been so important in helping me to grow my business, particularly over the past year. The work they do on behalf of us is just terrific, and it allows us to put all our focus on growing the best tasting oysters.”
Don’t know how to shuck?
Ideally you need an oyster shucking knife, but any other type of stout, short-bladed knife will do.
Wrap a tea towel over one hand and use it to hold the oyster firmly, the flattened side facing upwards.
In the other hand, place the tip of the shucking knife at the base of the hinge (sharp end of the oyster), twist the knife using pressure, then lever the knife upwards, or twist it to prise the hinge open.
Slide the knife right along and under the top shell to release the oyster and remove the top shell.
Try and hold the oyster level so as not to spill any tasty juices (especially if you are eating raw).
Use the knife to cut along the bottom shell to make sure the oyster is free and clear of that shell too.
Serve the oysters as soon as possible after opening. They can be enjoyed as they are, or with a simple squirt of lemon juice. Many people enjoy with a sprinkle of tabasco sauce.
Grilled Oysters with Butter
By Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group
Serves 2 people
Ingredients
6 whole live oysters
2 cloves of garlic
2 tablespoons of olive oil
3 tablespoons of unsalted Scottish butter, softened
Squeeze of lemon juice
Cracked black pepper
1 tablespoon of parsley, chopped very finely
Method
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 4 minutes
Ready in: 14 minutes
In a bowl, mix together all of the sauce ingredients until well combined.
To keep the oysters upright, use piles of rock salt or rice if you don’t have any salt.
Divide the butter mixture between the shell and place under the grill for 2-4 minutes.
– Edinburgh based Wemyss Malts partners with neighbour The Chocolate and Pastry Bar
– Exclusive coupling in time for Valentine’s Day
Edinburgh’s Wemyss Malts and the Chocolate and Pastry Bar have come together to form the perfect partnership – just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Following the rebrand of the Wemyss Malts Core Range last year, the family-run business is continuing its mission to champion local, by partnering with Edinburgh’s Chocolate and Pastry Bar – debuting a range of delicious handmade Belgian Couverture Chocolate bars, inspired by the Core Range’s three uniquely flavoured whiskies – The Hive’, ‘Spice King’ and ‘Peat Chimney’.
The Wemyss Malts team has worked closely with chocolatier Chef Chiara Scipione to create the trio of chocolate, infused, and influenced by the flavour profile and tasting notes of each whisky.
Handmade with 54% cocoa Belgian dark chocolate – ‘The Hive’ is expertly blended with caramelised orange pieces, ‘Spice King’ is carefully combined with cracked black pepper and smooth caramel and ‘Peat Chimney’ is delicately made with Islay peat-smoked oats and almonds.
The Core Range and inspired Couverture Chocolate bars are available to buy from wemyssmalts.com/shop from Monday the 8th of February – and if ordered by Wednesday 10th of February, can be delivered in time for Valentine’s Day.
The Core Range is available through spirit and whisky specialists worldwide from £39.95. The trio of exclusive chocolates are on offer at £4.95 per bar or free with purchase of one of the Wemyss Malts Core Range.
Steven Shand, Whisky Blender at Wemyss Malts, said:“The past year hasn’t been easy for anyone, so we wanted to do our part to support our neighbours while exploring a new territory for the Wemyss Malts brand.
“It’s been wonderful to collaborate with such a creative business owner like Chiara whose expertise and flair has created the perfect indulgent pairings for our Core Collection.
“Whether you’re celebrating lockdown love or searching for an isolation treat, our new range of handmade Belgian Couverture Chocolates are the perfect pick me up this Valentine’s Day. Now whisky lovers can not only match the hand-crafted whisky blend to their personality, but can now also pair it with one of the delicious, flavoured chocolate bars.”
Chef Chiara Scipione, Owner of the Chocolate and Pastry Bar, said: “I’ve loved exploring the unique tasting notes of the Wemyss Malts Core Range and matching them with the flavour tones of the Belgian Chocolate.
“From the beginning of this process, I’ve been inspired by the brand’s unique take on whisky blending and their selection of flavours to suit every type of personality. It’s been fantastic exploring each of the flavour profiles to find the perfect combination of taste and textures to compliment the whisky with the chocolate.”
Morrisons is giving away 60,000 pizza-making kits across the UK this half term to help fight holiday hunger.
Colleagues working on Morrisons pizza counters in stores will each prepare 30 pizza kits per day, which will then be distributed to local schools and community groups to help support families in need via Morrisons Community Champions.
Each kit includes ready to roll pizza dough, tomato sauce, grated cheese and either peppers and sweetcorn or pepperoni and ham depending on whether families would like a meat or vegetarian option.
The kits also contain a recipe card with cooking instructions and details of a competition that families can enter to be in with the chance of winning £100 Morrisons vouchers. All they have to do is post a picture of their pizza tagging Morrisons on Instagram and include the hashtag #PizzaKitWin.
Morrisons pizza-kit donations follow the donation of over 75,000 lunchboxes to school children over the previous half term break in October 2020.
Sian Ayling, Head of Food To Go at Morrisons,said: “We want to ensure that as many children as possible have access to the food they need over the half term break, which is why we’re offering these pizza kits to those who need them in our local communities and would encourage as many people as possible to get involved with our competition.’
Morrisons also offers customers the option of buying their own ‘Pick Up Packs’, which are also distributed to local food banks, schools and community groups.
The packs’ cost between £1 and £5 and contain a nutritionally balanced mix of food products and other essentials that have been requested by the local community groups according to their needs.
The pre-packed parcels are available at the front of all Morrisons stores and are paid for at the checkout. The pack is then put aside in our dedicated donation areas ready to be passed on the local food banks and community groups.
Sainsbury’s Local and Tesco Express customers are paying up to £320 and £280 respectively more a year than those who shop at larger stores for the same items, new Which? analysis has revealed.
The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on consumers’ shopping habits, with many people avoiding large supermarkets in favour of shopping online or using convenience stores near their homes.
But while convenience stores have been a lifeline for many people during the pandemic, they are not the most economical way for consumers to shop as prices tend to be higher.
More than half (51%) of Which? members surveyed who used convenience stores said cost was one of their biggest bugbears.
To determine how much more customers could be spending at supermarket convenience stores compared to their larger stores, the consumer champion analysed the average weekly price of 48 own-label and branded groceries for five months in 2020 across the two largest convenience chains – Sainsbury’s Local and Tesco Express – and compared it with the cost of the same items at their supermarket counterparts.
Which? found customers could be paying 9.5 per cent more a year (£322) at Sainsbury’s Local than they would at a regular Sainsbury’s supermarket.
On average, the shopping list of 48 items, which included Napolina Chopped Tomatoes and McVities Ginger Nut biscuits, cost £71.26 a week at Sainsbury’s Local compared to £65.08 at a Sainsbury’s supermarket – an average weekly difference of £6.18 and £322 annually.
Which? also found Tesco Express customers could be paying 8.4 per cent (£279) more a year compared to those that shop at a larger Tesco supermarket. The shopping basket of 48 items would cost £69.12 at Tesco Express compared to £63.75 at a Tesco supermarket – a difference of £5.37 a week and £279 annually, on average.
At Sainsbury’s the products with the biggest price difference were a 400g can of Napolina Chopped Tomatoes, which was a third more expensive at Sainsbury’s Local, and a 250g packet of McVitie’s Ginger Nut Biscuits, which was just over a quarter pricier at a Sainsbury’s Local store compared to a larger supermarket.
A number of Tesco own-label products were a quarter (23%) more expensive in Express stores than in supermarkets, including Tesco 0% Fat Greek Style Yogurt (500g) and Tesco Orange Juice With Bits, Not From Concentrate (1lt).
In some cases, however, products were the same cost or even a fraction cheaper in the convenience store. For example, a 500ml bottle of Flash spray with bleach was the same price (£1) at Sainsbury’s Local, Tesco Express and the supermarkets, while McVities Digestives were on average 1p cheaper in the smaller stores.
Which? shared its findings with Sainsbury’s and Tesco. Sainsbury’s said that product price is influenced by a variety of factors including special offers, while Tesco said that rents, rates and operating costs are higher in built-up areas.
The use of convenience stores increased during the first lockdown, offering an alternative for those who preferred not to travel or queue for supermarkets and – particularly in the case of local stores that launched delivery services – a lifeline to vulnerable and shielding people.
A Which? members survey found three in five (61%) had shopped at Costcutter between one and three times a month in the eight months after the first nationwide lockdown began in March, compared to less than one in 10 (7%) before the pandemic.
Similarly, one in five (20%) had shopped at a Co-op four to six times a month since spring 2020, compared to just 12 per cent before lockdown.
Natalie Hitchins, Head of Home Products and Services at Which?, said: “Convenience stores have been a huge help to many of us during the pandemic. However, our research shows that shoppers who rely solely on supermarket convenience stores, rather than their larger stores for their groceries, are paying a premium.
“Customers will generally get more for their money at larger supermarket stores, but for some products, the price difference may not be significant, so it is always worth checking prices to make sure you are getting the best deal.”
Average week
Week with greatest difference
Average annual cost and difference
Sainsbury’s
Main store
£65.08
£62.85
£3,384
Local store
£71.26
£73.05
£3,706
Difference
£6.18
£10.20
£322
Tesco
Main store
£63.75
£61.96
£3,315
Express store
£69.12
£70.81
£3,594
Difference
£5.37
£8.85
£279
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson responded: “We’re committed to offering our customers the best possible value.
“The price of our products is influenced by a range of factors, including promotions which can vary between Sainsbury’s supermarkets and convenience stores.”
A Tesco spokesperson said:“Our Tesco Express stores are mainly in built-up areas where unfortunately rents, rates and the operating costs for these stores are higher.
“The difference in prices of some products reflect these increased costs, but our prices remain competitive as we strive to offer great value to our customers.”
