- Tesco has justified the rise by saying quality and choice will improve
Tesco is raising the price of its popular meal deal for the second time in two years, in a blow to fans of a bargain lunch.
The cost of the deal, which includes a sandwich or salad, snack and drink, is going up by almost 6 per cent, and follows another increase less than two years ago.
The supermarket has justified the price rise by saying it has introduced better-quality ingredients and improvements to the range of items on offer.
Sandwich squeeze: Tesco is raising the price of its popular meal deal range this week to £3.60 for Clubcard members
From Thursday, Clubcard members will pay 20p more for their meal deal, meaning a sandwich or salad, snack and drink will now cost £3.60.
Customers without a Clubcard will pay £4, which is 10p more than the current price.
It is the second time the supermarket has raised the price during the cost of living crisis, and comes just a month after Sainsbury’s increased the price of its meal deal for the first time in three years, from £3.50 to £3.75 across all of its stores.
In October 2022, Tesco’s meal deal increased for the first time in a decade from £3 to £3.40 for Clubcard members, and from £3.50 to £3.90 for those without a loyalty card.
Tesco says that the latest price increase is because of improvements made to the quality of its range, which include switching to cheddar which has been matured longer and new seasonings.
It also said it was expanding its range with the introduction of seven new salads, including a feta and grains salad.
Tesco says it has made improvements to the quality of its meal deal range
How much do supermarkets charge for meal deals?
Tesco’s competitors Sainsbury’s and Co-op, offer similar deals at £3.75 and £3.50 for members, respectively.
Boots’ meal deal costs £3.99 or £3.60 with an Advantage card, while Morrisons offers its own deal for £3.50.
Tesco says the deal still represents ‘great value’ as 80 per cent of customers buy a meal deal using a Clubcard, and a number of meal combinations would cost more than £8 if purchased separately.
Tesco’s most popular meal deal – a Sausage, Bacon and Egg triple sandwich, packet of McCoys Flame Grilled Steak crisps and a bottle of Coca Cola – would cost £6.20 if purchased separately.
A spokesperson for Tesco said: ‘Clubcard members will pay just £3.60 for a main, snack and drink, meaning our meal deal remains great value and the ideal way to grab lunch on-the-go.
‘With millions of possible combinations across our stores, our recent improvements to ingredients and more than 20 new mains introduced this summer, the Tesco meal deal has got something for every taste.’
Tesco’s premium meal deal range will not change, costing £5 with a Clubcard and £5.50 without a Clubcard.
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