Shopping at local convenience stores instead of bigger supermarkets could cost you an extra £800 a year

SMALL SHOPS, BIG COSTS: Your local shop could be costing you hundreds of pounds more a year (Photo by PA)

By Graham Hiscott and Abigail O'Leary

Consumers who frequently shop at Tesco and Sainsbury's convenience stores instead of their larger supermarkets are likely to spend hundreds more over the course of a year, according to a study.

Which? found that people who purchased the same 75 items at Tesco Express, such as Anchor Spreadable Butter, a Hovis white loaf, and own-brand milk, would typically spend £15.73 more per week than those who shopped online or at a larger Tesco store. The figure adds up over a year to £817.91.

Researchers from Which? compared the costs of 69 grocery items at Sainsbury's, such as Heinz tomato soup, McVitie's biscuits, and Birds Eye Potato Waffles. They discovered that customers who used Sainsbury's Local rather than going online or to a larger store spent an extra £477.93 over the course of the year, reported the Mirror.

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The watchdog acknowledged that supermarket prices regularly fluctuate, but found steep mark-ups at both Sainsbury’s and Tesco convenience stores on individual items. However, both Tesco and Sainsbury's assured that they were doing everything to keep the costs down.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “There may be price differences between convenience stores and supermarkets. This is because our Sainsbury’s Local stores are located in the city or town centre locations and their operating costs, for example, rent and rates, are higher.”

A Tesco spokesperson said: “We work hard to ensure our customers get great value online, in a large store or in an Express store. Our Express stores provide a wide range of extremely competitive own-brand products, as well as offering great value deals via Clubcard Prices."

Despite these assurances, the stark price differences are likely to affect those who are more vulnerable to food insecurity and do not travel to supermarkets for larger shops, do not shop online or do not have easy access to a big supermarket. With this in mind, consumer experts have waded in with their helpful tips on how to make out money stretch further - including the time of day you shop:

1) Don't go shopping on an empty stomach: The first simple tip is not to head to the supermarket on an empty stomach. Doing so will help you avoid throwing those extra few treats into your basket, that aren't really needed.

2) Shop around: Trying to shop around can also help. It's always easiest to get all we need from one quick stop at one store - but prices for the exact same items differ from one supermarket to the next. So checking out and comparing prices can be really helpful.

3) Socre a few deals: If you go shopping later in the day or the evening, you might be able to score some deals on reduced items that need to be moved off the shelves that day. While we're all drawn in by those reduced stickers, the special offer bargains can also be hugely tempting - but they might not always save you money.

4) Swap food items: When it comes to choices of what gets thrown into the trolley, trying to pack in more veggies and less meat and fish can help, although a balanced diet is needed and meat can be swapped out for other proteins, like beans or chickpeas.

5) Visit the world food isle: If you're looking for staples like herbs, spices, tinned goods, dips or sauces, going to the world food aisle could save you money because lesser known brands are sold cheaper there, writes the Cash Lady.

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