Boxsaver finds huge differences in supermarket prices
Boxsaver went into administration in August 2024.
This is a press release from Boxsaver to which I contributed. 16/06/23. I think the findings are shocking.
“MAJOR supermarkets are still charging a premium for the nation’s favourite food brands, in spite of increasing pressure on customers from the cost of living crisis.
Online discount grocer Boxsaver compares on a daily basis the cost of best-loved brands including Bisto, Heinz, Walkers, Cadbury’s and Coca Cola, revealing prices vary wildly between supermarkets.
The small business, which sells the same items cheaper, publishes daily comparisons with Aldi, Asda, B&M, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.
Boxsaver’s cost comparison data from Thursday 15 June showed an identical basket of products** including cereals, condiments and cooking ingredients cost just £28.64 on the Boxsaver website versus between £37.85 and £42.75 at the UK’s four major supermarkets.
Boxsaver CEO Peter Bohn said: “It’s unfair on shoppers that the brands they love are being priced so highly when food prices are increasing across the board. The fact the prices vary so much goes to show supermarkets don’t have to charge so much.
“When you look at the comparisons on our website, it is very eye-opening. In some cases, eye-watering!”
He added: “It’s worth noting, Waitrose doesn’t always come out as the most expensive as people might expect. Some of the products we sell are at least £1 more at Asda and Tesco.
“People are also often surprised we can beat the prices of discounters like Aldi and B&M.”
The prices shared daily by Boxsaver are taken directly from the other shops’ websites and their price promise includes beating any loyalty reward schemes such as ‘Clubcard prices’ and ‘Nectar prices’.
Peter said: “Reward schemes are incentivising customers but only on certain products. Shoppers pay for them on others.
“We think people would much rather keep their hard-earned money in their pocket and pay less for every single item and that’s what Boxsaver aims to achieve.”
He added: “Of course, Boxsaver only sells premium brands and a lot of people can’t afford them. However, we know most people would prefer to buy premium brands if they could, and the supermarkets know that too – and they charge them for it.
“So many more shoppers would be able to afford premium brands if they were reasonably priced. We prove that is possible.”
Consumer Champion Helen Dewdney, known as The Complaining Cow, says she is appalled by the latest figures. “A 49% difference in price between a possible price and what Sainsbury’s charges is outrageous. What possible reason can it have for this disparity? If supermarkets were only increasing prices in line with inflation, surely this would not be the case?” she said.
Helen added: “Yet again it would appear that supermarkets are not treating customers fairly. It shows that consumers have to use a variety of means to ensure that they are getting the best prices during the cost of living crisis.”
The Boxsaver website allows shoppers to see the ‘next cheapest’ and the ‘most expensive’ price for the same item on its ‘shop all’ page as well as full price comparisons with all eight supermarkets on each individual product page.
Boxsaver also offers free delivery across mainland Great Britain for orders over £25 which also beats all other supermarket providers’ doorstep delivery offers.
Peter added: “We have worked very hard to offer free delivery as an option. We know people don’t always have the time or transport to shop around, likewise we want offer accessibility to those that struggle to get out to the shops including older age groups and those living with disabilities. We want to make sure everyone has the same opportunity to access the best bargains and the lowest prices for branded cupboard food.”
Peter and his team are also supporting nationwide food banks with regular donations to The Trussell Trust, and by giving Boxsaver customers a donation option during the checkout process. The team is also launching a Food Bank Box which customers can purchase at a heavily discounted price and Boxsaver will deliver directly to those in need.”
Use this code Helen15 to get 15% off and which will expire on 15 July 2023.
I was on BBC Breakfast talking about supermarkets. I have regularly appeared in the media talking about retail and consumer issues particularly consumer rights for over ten years. You can see more at my media page.
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