Tesco customers furious over ‘unclear’ and ‘excessive’ Clubcard prices

The consumer group Which? claimed that Tesco fails to provide clear labels to state the unit prices of products advertised with Clubcard promotion prices.

These listings allow customers to determine the cost of products by weight, for example, price per 100g.

While this is done for non-promotional food and drink items, Tesco shoppers have to calculate this themselves when shopping with their Clubcard.

And according to the consumer watchdog, the decision not to do it for both could be deemed a “misleading practice” under the Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading Regulations, 2008.

Despite defending its pricing habits which they claim are in line with Trading Standards, Tesco faced backlash from its customers regarding the discovery.

READ MORE: Food recalls issued by Asda, Sainsbury’s and Lidl over ‘serious health risks’

Many shoppers took to social media to express their opinion on the discovery, with many angered by months of rising food prices across UK supermarkets

Twitter user @‌moaningbrit1 said: “That’s been my main gripe with shopping at Tesco, Clubcard prices SHOULD show price per unit. #Tesco”.

Another added: “More often than not, @‌Tesco Clubcard prices can be equalled or beaten elsewhere. The only benefit of the scheme is the points (much diminished now) and the coupons. Otherwise, you’ll get a better deal at another supermarket.”

Some even went as far as to say they would no longer be shopping with the supermarket giant as a result of soaring costs.

Twitter user @RyanCamsey wrote: “Today is officially the last day I regularly shop at Tesco. Week in and week out prices have rocketed so much it’s just not value anymore, and compared to other supermarkets they’re excessive. Says a lot when pricing is similar to M&S. @LidlGB look forward to trying you next week.”

But despite claims that its products cost a premium compared to other stores, Tesco announced that they are in fact bringing their prices down.

The supermarket giant said: “We’ve lowered prices on everyday essentials like bread, milk, pasta, butter and oil…We’ll keep cutting prices for you as costs drop for us.”

And as of June 4, 2023, they had also slashed the cost of other favourites like Tesco Fat-Free Cottage Cheese (300g), to £1.30, and Creamfields Yoghurt (500g) to just 35p.

In line with their “Low Everyday Price promise”, the CEO pledged to continue to “lock” the price of more than 1,000 items until July this year.

Tesco also claimed to match budget retailer Aldi on more than 500 products, which are checked twice a week to avoid shoppers having to compare prices themselves. Another vow made by the retailer claimed that they would continue to make their “best deals” available via Clubcard prices.

A spokesman for Tesco told Express.co.uk: “Providing great value and clear pricing is really important to us. We always take care to ensure we are compliant which is why we asked Trading Standards to review our approach on Clubcard Prices. They formally endorsed our labelling, confirming it meets the current legal requirements and guidelines.

“We are supportive of calls for greater clarity on the regulations in this area, in the interests of both businesses and consumers and are actively looking at how we can make the way we display pricing even clearer for our customers. However, given that we are complying with all the current rules, we are disappointed that Which? has chosen to make these ill-founded claims against our Clubcard Prices scheme, which helps millions of households get great value week-in, week-out, and could save shoppers up to £351 per year.”