Proactive Investors - A big shop at J Sainsbury PLC (LON:SBRY) in now pricier than at Waitrose, a Which? report has found.
According to the consumer group, the cost of a “large trolley” of goods was higher at Sainsbury’s than at Waitrose for the first time in September.
This placed Sainsbury’s as Britain’s most expensive supermarket during the month - given customers didn’t have a ‘Nectar’ loyalty card.
Cost of a large trolley of 131 goods at different shops in September (Which?):
- Sainsbury’s - £359.23
- Waitrose - £355.51
- Tesco (LON:TSCO) - £350.41
- Ocado (LON:OCDO) - £349.79
- Morrisons - £332.22
- Asda - £325.71
“This [...] demonstrates that shoppers can make considerable savings on their groceries depending on where they buy their food,” Which? said.
Though Aldi and Lidl were the cheapest for smaller-sized shops, the discounters were not included in the larger analysis given their lack of branded goods on shelves.
It was the cost of these smaller baskets that drew the attention of the consumer group meanwhile, for which Waitrose remained in the top spot as the most expensive.
Which? slated shops for not offering enough own branded and value range goods, particularly in convenience stores.
“Our research shows that staple foods including rice, spaghetti, baked beans and tea bags are among the items that could cost more than three times as much if budget-range versions are not available,” Which? said.
Morrisons and Tesco have indeed taken measures to ramp up the number of cheaper offerings, Which? said, but more needs to be done.
“Supermarkets can do much more to help shoppers during the current crisis,” Which? Retail Editor Ele Clark commented.
“They must ensure everyone has easy access to basic, affordable food ranges at a store near them.”