How supermarkets and pharmacies hide top bargains in the BABY aisle
SUPERMARKETS and pharmacies use a sneaky tactic to hide their top bargains from shoppers - they put them in the baby aisle.
Products that are categorised as "baby" are often much cheaper than identical products that aren't, such as cotton buds, wipes and moisturising lotion.
Bargain hunters at uncovered the difference in prices of baby and non-baby products as part of an investigation into how supermarkets hide bargains on the quieter aisles.
For example, at Tesco, own-label "Tesco loves baby" cotton buds cost 55p for a pack of 300, while own-label non-baby cotton buds cost £1.50 for 200 - so they're more expensive and you get less in a pack.
The cotton buds appear to be identical - both are 100 per cent pure cotton, produced in Poland, and the non-baby buds even say they can be used for baby care.
MOST READ IN MONEY
Since publishing the article, Tesco contacted The Sun Online to say that there was an error with the price of the own-brand beauty cotton buds, and that they are now 40p.
A Tesco spokesperson said: “We’re sorry about this error. In future we’ll make sure both products cost the same amount.”
A pack of 25 Johnson's make-up wipes are on sale at Tesco for £1.50, but a similar pack of 56 Johnson's baby wipes cost 86p - and you get double the amount of wipes.
Both packs of wipes can be used on the face and body, and are suited to sensitive skin.
At Boots, a 200ml bottle of Dove's baby moisture lotion costs just £2, but a 250ml bottle of Dove essential nourishment body lotion costs £3.13 - three times the price.
That means you're paying £1.25 per 100ml for the normal Dove lotion, and 50p per 100ml for the baby version.
The descriptions for both lotions are very similar, with the only difference the addition of the word baby.
One says: "Its formula soothes dry skin from the first use and provides all day moisture that leaves baby skin feeling soft and delicately scented.
While the other says: "Now they not only moisturise the surface of your skin, but also deliver deep nourishment for long lasting beautifully soft and smooth skin."
But buying baby isn't always the cheapest - so it pays to shop around and do your research to make sure you're getting the best deal on similar items.
Four ways you can save on your supermarket shop
- COMPARE 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 supermarket order online, giving you extra savings on your weekly shop.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4094