Tesco Express-style local stores hit by demand for price caps on essential items

04 June 2023 , 23:01

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Tesco Express-style supermarket stores often do not stock budget items (Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Food price caps should be introduced for convenience stores, Which? has urged.

It called on No10 not to ignore millions of shoppers who rely on smaller stores where budget line items are rarely stocked.

The Tories want supermarkets to bring in a voluntary cap.

However, consumer champion Which? has written to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt warning it will not work unless the Government works with the retail giants.

A cap on basic foods is said to be at the “drawing board stage”.

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Consumer champion Which? has written to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt (Getty Images)

But Which? said struggling families are paying over the odds for everyday items as cheap ones are rarely sold in shops like Tesco Express or Sainsbury’s Local.

Which? revealed two-thirds of low-income shoppers rely on smaller stores but value range items are available less than 1% of the time.

It said weekly shoppers at Tesco Express would spend an extra £800 annually compared with a larger Tesco store or online.

Speaking on No10’s plans, Sue Davies, of Which?, said: “Without addressing the issues hitting those on low incomes, relying on convenience stores, these price measures won’t touch the sides.”

Stephen White