A woman was surprised by the significant price gap between two neighboring Tesco stores. In a quest to find the best deals amidst rising living costs, she compared prices of food items at two local Tesco outlets. Taking to TikTok, user ‘thismumcooks’ highlighted the price discrepancies, emphasizing the challenge of “shopping locally.”
The comparison revealed distinct price variations between a Tesco Express convenience store and a larger 24-hour Tesco located merely a mile apart. For instance, a 340g pack of Prince’s Corned Beef cost £4.35 in the Express store but only £3.80 in the larger Tesco. Similarly, Tesco branded cod fillets priced at £7 in the convenience store were £6.10 in the bigger supermarket.
Despite apparent savings in the Express store, closer inspection showed nuanced differences. While L’or instant coffee was £8 in the Express store versus £8.65 in the larger Tesco, the latter offered a significantly larger package at a better price per 100g. Further comparisons included Fox’s Chocolatey half-coated cookies at £2.75 in the Express store versus £2.40 in the larger Tesco.
Additionally, Tesco Express sold Heinz beef ravioli for £2.30, while the larger Tesco priced it at £2 with a special offer of three cans for £4.50. Notably, a 500g pack of Brown & Polson Cornflour cost £3.45 in the Express store but only £3 in the larger Tesco.
The disparity raised concerns among consumers regarding pricing consistency across Tesco stores. While acknowledging the higher operating costs of Express stores, Tesco assured competitive pricing compared to other convenience stores. However, the debate on pricing fairness and support for local businesses continues among consumers and industry observers.
The woman’s revelation sparked a public discussion on social media, with many expressing confusion and frustration over the price differentials. Some highlighted factors such as operational costs and convenience premiums that contribute to varied pricing in different store formats. The ongoing debate underscores the complex dynamics of retail pricing and consumer choice in the grocery sector.