We are happy to see that the regulator has found many of the same
problems we have and we urge the government to take action.
Changes in legislation will take time, so supermarkets should not
hesitate to make pricing clearer now.
Sue Davies, Which? Head of Food Policy said:
“Which? has repeatedly exposed
inconsistent and confusing supermarket pricing, which could make
it difficult for shoppers to easily work out which products offer
the best value, so it’s positive to see the Competition and
Markets Authority calling for immediate action from the
supermarkets on this issue.
“The supermarkets must finally do
the right thing by their customers and urgently act on the areas
highlighted by the regulator. This includes the need to put unit
pricing on promotions, such as on loyalty card offers and
multi-buys, and make unit pricing clearer and more
consistent.
"The regulator also warns that
customers who rely on expensive convenience stores aren't fully
benefiting from strong competition between supermarkets.
Supermarkets can address this immediately by bringing in a range
of budget line products that support a healthy diet to their
convenience stores.
"Government must act swiftly on its
promise to update pricing rules and close the loopholes that are
allowing supermarkets to unnecessarily confuse shoppers, and the
regulator must be ready to take enforcement action if the
supermarkets don't act to quickly improve their pricing
practices.”
ENDS
Notes to
editors:
Which?
Affordable Food For All Campaign
The
consumer champion’s Affordable Food For
All campaign calls on supermarkets to do more to ensure
own-brand budget line items are widely available throughout all
branches – including in smaller ‘convenience’ stores. They should
also make pricing and offers more transparent.
Almost 110,000
supporters have signed Which?’s petition so far calling on the
supermarkets to take action.
Alongside the
University of Leeds Consumer Data Research Centre, Which? has
developed the Priority Places For Food
Index which shows where in the UK people are the most
vulnerable to food insecurity.
