Mini supermarkets are charging up to 23% more than their larger outlets for exactly the same items
A can of Heinz baked beans costs 85p at a Sainsbury's local, while in the larger outlet it's just 75p - a difference of 13.3 per cent
WITH British shopping habits changing, supermarkets are having to adapt by closing their larger outlets and opening smaller, local convenience stores instead.
But this means that shoppers face higher food prices, as convenience stores are typically more expensive - sometimes charging customers up to 23 per cent more for the same items.
found that the price differences between shops belonging to the same supermarket chain are huge - even when the outlets are sometimes less than a mile apart.
Tesco Express, for example, charges £3.30 for an 80ml bottle of Calpol 6+, while the larger Tesco superstore charges £3 - 10 per cent less.
A can of Heinz baked beans costs 85p at a Sainsbury's local, while in the larger outlet it's just 75p - a difference of 13.3 per cent.
The newspaper found the biggest difference at M&S, where a branch of M&S Simply charges £1.85 for a 300ml bottle of freshly squeezed orange juice, compared to £1.50 at a Marks & Spencers food hall.
That's a whopping 23.3 per cent difference in price.
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Supermarkets put the price differences down to the higher running costs associated with convenience stores.
Sainsbury's, which has more than 700 convenience stores across the UK, says: "Different sizes of stores have very different operational requirements and running costs.
"Rents, for example, are often more expensive in our smaller stores due to their locations. It can also be more of a challenge to deliver products to our local stores.
"These, and other factors such as staffing, local rates and a focus on convenience products mean there are differences in price between our supermarkets and local stores."
Recent data shows that shoppers are increasingly flocking to bargain supermarkets Aldi, Lidl and Iceland to cut the cost of their expensive grocery shops.
Rising food prices mean the average UK household has had to pay an extra £21.31 at the tills over the past three months.
Discount chains Aldi and Lidl have benefited most from rising food costs, as a growing number of cash-strapped Brits are choosing to shop in their stores to save on their weekly grocery haul.
The five ways you can save on your grocery shop
- COMPARE food prices online. As with any purchase you’re about to make, you should always compare retailers to see who’s offering the best prices.
- Use discount codes. It pays to check sites like MoneySavingExpert and VoucherCloud to nab supermarket discounts and voucher codes. A simple search online could help you save £10 or £20 off an online order.
- Buy own-brand goods. Unbranded goods are significantly cheaper than their branded counterparts, so opting to buy the former could cut your bill down considerably.
- Use cashback websites. You can earn cashback each time you make a grocery order online, giving you extra savings on your weekly shop.
- Find yellow sticker bargains. Reduced items with the magic yellow sticker can be up to 75 per cent cheaper than the retail price, and if you have a big freezer then its the perfect way to stock up on the best brands for less.
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