Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Supermarket-branded convenience stores 'charge up to a fifth more than larger branches'

Supermarket-branded convenience stores 'charge up to a fifth more than larger branches'

Supermarkets are accused of overcharging customers when they are shopping in the chains' smaller convenience stores, according to a new study – with the difference even greater for loyalty scheme members.

Which? in its latest study compared the cost of 42 popular grocery items – from cheese and pasta to blueberries and ice-cream – on three occasions in June and July at the largest supermarket-branded convenience chains – Morrisons Daily, Sainsbury’s Local and Tesco Express – against prices at their full-sized supermarkets.


The biggest price difference for the items compared by the consumer group – branded and own-label – was at Morrisons. It found shoppers would pay 21 per cent more on average for the same groceries at a Morrisons Daily than at one of its large supermarkets.

A 400g tin of own-label chickpeas was more than double the price at the convenience store – £1 in comparison with 49p at the supermarket. Members of Morrisons’ loyalty scheme More could pay 22 per cent extra at its smaller outlets as the card is not currently accepted there.

Ele Clark, the retail editor at Which?, said, “Unfortunately, many people are without easy access to transport or online deliveries which leaves 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.”

Which? found those who shop regularly in smaller outlets face a big mark-up on essentials such as milk, bread and butter. All three supermarket convenience stores charged 8 per cent more for two pints of own-label, semi-skimmed milk – with or without a loyalty card – shows the study.

Which? collected data from a total of 11 convenience stores and nearby supermarkets around the country, from Glasgow to Sevenoaks in Kent.

Reacting the Which?'s findings, Morrisons said it was “actively working” on introducing the More card to Morrisons Daily stores “in the coming months”.

A Morrisons spokesperson said: “We’re always working hard to keep prices down and competitive for our customers while maintaining high standards and availability in all our stores. Last year, we became the first supermarket to introduce our budget ‘Savers’ range into Morrisons Daily stores nationwide.”

More for you

C-store body warns of 'inflation-busting increase in wage costs'
Woman Holding British Pound
Getty Images/iStockphoto

C-store body warns of 'inflation-busting increase in wage costs'

Convenience store body Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) today (30) has warned the Chancellor about the negative effects of the new National Living Wage (NLW) increase, a day after the Chancellor announced a pay rise for over 3 million workers next year, with NLW rates rising by 6.7 perc cent.

From April 2025, the NLW will increase from £11.44 to £12.21 while 18-20 National Minimum Wage will rise by £1.40 per hour to £10 - the largest increase on record, marking the first step towards a single adult rate.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Robbie MacDonald via LDRS

Shop’s licence bid rejected over illegal vapes and ‘no regard’ for children’s safety

A Rossendale shop has had a licence bid rejected after repeatedly selling vapes to children and having illegal products on its premises.

Management at the Ibra Superstore at 34 Burnley Road, Bacup, have shown ‘no regard’ for children’s protection and safety, and have insufficient controls for licensing, Rossendale councillors have ruled.

Keep ReadingShow less
SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR North of England retailer Dara Singh Randhawa’s family store has been awarded £100,000 of free stock after hitting all his targets since moving to the symbol.

Dara and his family, who have their SPAR store in Patrington in the East Riding of Yorkshire, joined SPAR through its association with James Hall & Co. Ltd in August 2023 having taken the decision to maximise the store’s potential.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pound Sterling bank notes
iStock

National Living Wage to increase to £12.21 in April 2025

The government has on Wednesday announced its acceptance of the Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendations on the rates of the National Minimum Wage (NMW), including the National Living Wage (NLW).

The rates which will apply from 1 April 2025 are as follows:

Keep ReadingShow less
Michael Fletcher

Michael Fletcher

Former Nisa chief Michael Fletcher appointed SPAR UK managing director

SPAR UK has announced the appointment of Michael Fletcher as its new managing director.

Fletcher spent 22 years at Tesco plc, where he held numerous senior commercial roles in the UK, Ireland and Asia. He joined Co-op Retail in 2013 where he held the position of chief commercial officer before moving on to become CEO of Nisa Wholesale, a role he held until 2022.

Keep ReadingShow less