Amid the current cost-of-living crisis, Tesco is revamping its Express stores by replacing 50 everyday items with budget-friendly alternatives.
- A significant portion of these substitutions will include Tesco’s own-brand products, offering considerable savings to customers.
- The decision is backed by a consumer watchdog report which highlighted a lack of budget grocery lines in vulnerable UK areas.
- The rollout of these changes will occur over two weeks in August, aiming for broader affordability in essentials and fresh produce.
- Managing director Sarah Lawler notes this move as a strategy to enhance value and accessibility for 2,000 UK communities.
Tesco, in response to the ongoing cost-of-living challenges, is introducing significant changes within its Express stores. The retail giant is set to replace 50 everyday items with more affordable alternatives, with a strong focus on its own-brand products.
Tesco’s initiative to increase the presence of its own-brand items comes after research conducted by consumer watchdog Which?. This study highlighted a concerning absence of budget-friendly grocery lines in the UK’s most vulnerable regions. By bringing these own-brand products into its Express stores, Tesco aims to offer solutions that are, on average, over 40% cheaper than their branded predecessors.
The rollout of new products is scheduled to occur within a two-week period in August. Among the budget-friendly options, Tesco will introduce items such as penne pasta priced at 85p and smooth peanut butter at £1.65, which are set to be half the price of the previously available branded items.
Moreover, frozen food items like Tesco’s frozen garden peas will be introduced at prices nearly 40% cheaper than the branded counterparts they replace. In some cases, branded items have been switched with other branded alternatives at a fraction of the previous cost. Essential products such as toothpaste and nappies are included in these changes, with some prices reduced by as much as 40%.
Sarah Lawler, Tesco’s Convenience Managing Director, underscored the intent behind these changes, emphasising the need to alleviate financial pressures on customers. Lawler stated: “We know customers are watching every penny at the moment, so we hope these helpful product swaps will bring down food bills for even more families.”
Tesco’s proactive approach to integrating own-brand products in Express stores highlights its commitment to affordability during challenging times.
