Warning for Tesco, Morrison, Sainsbury's Shoppers Over Dairy

Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury's shoppers have been issued a warning as they could be paying more for their milk in different branches of the same supermarket chain.

Consumer champions Which? conducted research comparing prices from 42 everyday essentials, including milk, at larger supermarkets to their smaller 'local' or 'express' stores.

The study revealed that Tesco charged eight percent more for the same carton of milk. The research also discovered that Morrisons and Sainsbury's, who operate smaller convenience stores, also charged more for milk, reports the Express.

According to Which?, it stated: "Shoppers pay eight percent more for two pints of own brand semi-skimmed milk at all of the three supermarkets' smaller chains. While many of us choose to use convenience stores for top-up shops and food on the go, others have no choice but to use them. Just under a fifth of convenience store shoppers say their nearest large supermarket is too far away, and nearly one in eight don't own a car. Others say online shopping isn't an option for them."

Study's key findings

• The total cost of the basket of groceries at Morrisons Daily averaged £16 more. This could set consumers back a total of £832 more over the course of the year if they bought the same products once a week.
• In total, the basket of 42 groceries would have averaged around £11 more at Sainsbury’s Local and £10 more at Tesco Express for loyalty scheme members, compared to their prices at the larger stores, which adds up to more than £500 extra over a year.
• The total cost of the basket of groceries at Morrisons Daily averaged £16 more. This could set consumers back a total of £832 more over the course of the year if they bought the same products once a week.
• Essentials such as milk, bread and butter all had a big markup.
• All three supermarket convenience stores charged eight per cent more for two pints of own-label, semi-skimmed milk - with or without a loyalty card.
• A medium white Hovis loaf cost 12 per cent more at both Sainsbury’s Local and Tesco Express, and 14 per cent more at Morrisons Daily.

In general, the study found Tesco Express was the cheapest out of all the convenience stores — with a Clubcard. Which? found the total cost of the 42 everyday items, which also included bread, butter and chickpeas, saw Tesco shoppers pay on average £108.28 for Clubcard members and £117.30 for non-members.