Tesco PLC (LSE:TSCO), J Sainsbury PLC (LSE:SBRY) and Wm Morrison Supermarkets have been accused of not stocking own-branded goods at convenience stores and keeping people from cheaper deals.
Consumer group Which? found in a survey that the three ‘Big Four’ supermarket chains failed to stock own-labelled products at many convenience stores, preventing those unable to travel to larger shops from accessing the cheaper goods.
“At a time when millions of people are struggling to put food on the table, it’s shocking that budget-range foods are not available to people who can’t get to a large supermarket,” Which? food policy head Sue Davis said.
“Which? is now calling on supermarket bosses to ensure budget ranges that support a healthy diet are available in convenience stores, especially in areas where people are struggling the most.”
30 out of 35 surveyed stores did not stock any budget-range goods Which? mystery shoppers were sent to find, the group said, with the other five stocking just one of each.
Tesco accused Which? of carrying out “a highly flawed study,” arguing it used “expert knowledge of local customers’ shopping habits” when deciding what to stock.
Morrisons pointed to recent cuts meanwhile, which saw the chain allocate £148mln to reducing and freezing prices in February.
Supermarkets have repeatedly been accused of unnecessarily ramping up prices on the back of higher energy and supply costs, with Kantar reporting on Tuesday that grocery inflation slipped just 0.2% to 17.3% in the four weeks to 16 April.
Following accusations that Tesco made "obscene" profits earlier this month, Sainsbury’s will face the spotlight on Thursday, 27 April when releasing preliminary results.