Tesco has announced some significant changes to its meal deal offering, causing a stir among its loyal customers. The UK’s leading supermarket is hiking the price of its standard meal deal, marking the second rise in two years for the popular lunch option. The deal, which typically includes a sandwich or salad, snack, and drink, will see a price increase of almost 6%, effective from Thursday, August 22.
Clubcard holders will now pay £3.60 for the meal deal, up from £3.40 previously. Non-Clubcard holders will see an even higher rise, with the cost now at £4, increased from the previous £3.90. Tesco justifies the price increase by stating that it has introduced better-quality ingredients and expanded the range of items available.
Recent improvements include using longer-matured cheddar, sweeter plum tomatoes, and new seasoning blends in select meals. Tesco has also added seven fresh salad options to its core range, offering more choices to customers. Despite these changes to the standard meal deal, Tesco has kept the price of its premium meal deal unchanged at £5 for Clubcard members and £5.50 for non-Clubcard holders.
When compared to other retailers, Tesco’s meal deal prices now put it on the higher end. M&S charges £6 for its meal deal, while Morrisons offers core meal choices for £3.50 (loyalty price) or £4 for non-members, and premium choices for £5 (loyalty price) or £5.50. Poundland’s meal deal is priced at £3, Sainsbury’s charges £3.75 for core or £5 for premium, and Waitrose and WHSmiths ask for £5.50.
Tesco’s meal deal adjustments come after the supermarket introduced a premium meal deal option alongside its core meal deal last February. Clubcard members can save up to £3.74 when opting for the premium meal deal. The previous price increase for both Clubcard and non-Clubcard holders occurred in October 2022, raising the meal deal price from £3 to £3.40 for Clubcard members and from £3.50 to £3.90 for non-Clubcard holders.