Latest news with #TasteTheDifference
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Tesco ClubCard members rush to pick up half-price bedding from £8 – right in time for kids heading off to uni
Plus, the huge changes in Sainsbury's and Poundland DORM DEALS Tesco ClubCard members rush to pick up half-price bedding from £8 – right in time for kids heading off to uni Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHETHER it's time for a refresh of your home or your child is setting off to University, there's nothing quite like finding a bargain. And with bedding being so varied in cost, it feels especially rewarding when you come across a find at an affordable price. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Tesco ClubCard members rush to pick up half-price bedding from £8 Credit: Facebook Extreme Couponing And Bargains UK group. Half Price Bedding Which is why shoppers are racing to their local Tesco store. A savvy shopper posted an image on Facebook's Extreme Couponing And Bargains UK group. The image showed Slumberdown duvets slashed in price at Tesco's. For Tesco Club card members only - single duvets are reduced from £20 to only £8. Double sized duvets are also reduced from £24 to a better than half price saving of £9.50. The duvets are all 10.5 tog and designed for all year use - and should be perfect for those heading off to dorms. One shopper wrote in the comments: "I need one." Another asked a friend if their child needed one for University. While a third said: "Was in my Tesco but they only had King size left." Huge Change in Sainsburys Sainsbury's has hiked the cost of its dine-in meal deal by a quarter - enraging fans of the chain's fine dining experience at home. I'm 5ft3 & a size 12-14 - my 7 Tesco dresses are an absolute bargain & perfect for a last-minute wedding guest outfit The deal for two people includes four items - a Taste The Difference main, side, dessert and drink - for the new price of £15 with a Nectar card, up from £12 just a few weeks ago. The move follows similar price hikes on rival supermarkets' dine-in deals, with Tesco, M&S and Waitrose also hiking the cost to £15 in recent months. But shoppers have protested, with one saying a 25% hike does not mirror inflation. One customer wrote on "Why are you copying @waitrose and putting up your main meal deal from £12 to £15 without any notice - that's a 25% increase!!!... 'Another supermarket losing my custom." Poundland changing clothing line Poundland is planning to make a big change to its clothing ranges as it carries out a huge shake-up in stores. The discount retailer will start developing its clothing range in-house again - meaning there will be a bigger womenswear selection and more seasonal clothing. Major changes are being brought in at Poundland after it was bought for a nominal £1 fee in June by US investment firm Gordon Brothers. The firm has since announced huge restructuring plans that will see 68 stores close. A spokesperson told Drapers the business previously operated a "successful clothing business" managed by an internal team before it started sourcing through its previous owner Pepco. "We intend to revert to that model after restructuring, with clothing ranges developed in-house for the UK and Ireland markets," they said.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Fuming shoppers slam Sainsbury's for hiking the price of its dine-in meal deal
Scroll to see the new price of the meal NO DEAL Fuming shoppers slam Sainsbury's for hiking the price of its dine-in meal deal Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SAINSBURY'S has hiked the cost of its dine-in meal deal by a quarter - enraging fans of the chain's fine dining experience at home. The deal for two people includes four items - a Taste The Difference main, side, dessert and drink - for the new price of £15 with a Nectar card, up from £12 just a few weeks ago. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Meal deal prices have jumped at Sainsbury's Credit: Getty The move follows similar price hikes on rival supermarkets' dine-in deals, with Tesco, M&S and Waitrose also hiking the cost to £15 in recent months. But shoppers have protested, with one saying a 25% hike does not mirror inflation. One customer wrote on "Why are you copying @waitrose and putting up your main meal deal from £12 to £15 without any notice - that's a 25% increase!!!... 'Another supermarket losing my custom." Another added: 'That's a 25% increase, massively over the current rate of inflation." A third fumed on the review site "Price of meal deal which includes a main, side, dessert and a bottle of wine has increased by £3 in a week. Last week £12 this week £15! "They must have seen how inflation had risen and decided to contribute to these figures." Sainsbury's said this is the first time it has increased the price of the dine-in deal since its launch in August 2021. In a statement, the supermarket said: 'With thousands of delicious possible combinations to choose from, customers can continue to save on dining out for two by selecting their favourite main, side, dessert and drink from our Taste the Difference range for £15. 'Whether enjoying a British Beef Ranch Steak, or sneaking an extra spoonful of the Lemon, Passion Fruit & Yuzu Possets, customers can create the perfect dining experience from home for great value, without compromising on taste. 'We've also recently introduced two new flavourful main dishes which incorporate the high-quality ingredients customers would expect, with a Slow Cooked Beef Bourguignon and Crackling Pork Belly now available.' Waitrose, which has also increased the price of its top end meal deal from £12 to £15, said: 'We know customers are increasingly looking to enjoy the quality of a restaurant meal at home. 'Our No.1 dine-in meal deal includes a brilliant range of premium products, and while we're always working hard to keep costs down, we're confident this still provides great value.' Earlier this year Tesco said it had worked to improve the quality of its Finest Dine In range, investing in the ingredients and recipes, and introducing an updated menu. Its Clubcard members now pay £15 for two people for its dine-in meal deal, with savings of up to £22.50, for a main, side, dessert and drink. And last October, ready-meals fans were angry because M&S hiked its popular Gastropub meal offer from £12 to £15, with new creations included by Tom Kerridge. The store said 95% of the dishes were new or had been improved.
The Independent
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Sainsbury's hails highest market share for nearly a decade as sales surge
Supermarket Sainsbury's has notched a jump in sales as it cheered its highest market share for almost a decade. The UK's second largest supermarket said total sales, excluding fuel, rose by 4.9% in the 16 weeks to June 21. Grocery sales lifted by 5% in the group's first quarter, with growth of 4.2% for general merchandise and clothing, while the Argos business saw sales rebound by 4.4%. On a like-for-like basis, excluding fuel and VAT, group sales rose by 4.7% in the best performance for at least a year. The group said it had achieved its highest market share since 2016, saying it had grown share for three years in a row. But the figures come amid further signs of mounting food price inflation, with the latest BRC (British Retail Consortium)-NIQ Shop Price Index figures on Tuesday showing food prices were 3.7% higher in June, up from 2.8% in May. Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury's, said: 'We know how important it is that we provide consistently great value and we have built further on our strong competitive position, improving our prices against all key competitors year-on-year. 'We're now offering even more opportunities for customers to save on the items they buy most often through the biggest Aldi Price Match commitment in the market, covering around 800 everyday essentials.' The group said strong first quarter performers included Taste the Difference fresh food, which saw sales surge 20% as customers snapped up picnic and deli ranges in the sunny spring and early summer weather. Tu Clothing sales jumped 8%, driven by a 13% leap for womenswear, which the group put down to better design and strong availability. Its Argos business also enjoyed a sales bounce back, with growth increasing to 4.4% from 1.9% in the previous three months – the second quarter in a row of rising sales. It said trading was helped by 'warm and dry weather against a weak comparative'. The group said it was making progress on revamp efforts at the Argos division, focusing on driving more shopping visits and higher basket sizes. Sainsbury's confirmed it was on track with guidance for the full-year, which is set to see underlying operating profits remain flat at around £1 billion as stronger sales volumes are expected to be offset by weaker profitability amid investment in price cuts. 'Profit delivery will be supported by continued growth in Nectar profit contribution and industry-leading cost saving delivery and will be weighted more towards the second half versus last year,' according to the group.
The Sun
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sainsbury's shoppers heartbroken as store axes ‘best' coffee
SHOPPERS have been left disappointed after Sainsbury's axed a popular coffee. One frustrated customer got in touch with the supermarket after struggling to find the Taste the Difference Fairtrade Indian Monsoon Malabar Ground Coffee on shelves. "Have Sainsbury's stopped selling the Monsoon Malabar coffee?? Tried to find it in various stores but it is not available anywhere," they said. To their disappointment, Sainsbury's confirmed the coffee variety had in fact been discontinued. The Sun also searched for the coffee on but it's been listed as "currently out of stock in every store". The coffee had come in a 227g pack and was described as having dark chocolate, smoke and spice flavours. A description on the website says the product was ethically sourced and laid on the Malabar coast in southwestern India during the monsoon season. Shoppers on Trolley gave it glowing reviews. One raved: "This is the best coffee that I've had in recent years and decent price." Goa and for me it is perfectly good." The Sun has reached out to Sainsbury's for comment. Coffee fans can still get their fix of Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Fairtrade coffee though, as there are plenty more varieties still in stores. The 5 health benefits of coffee There's the Peruvian Machu Picchu Ground Coffee, which has a milk chocolate, caramel and almond flavour. It's from the Sacred Valley which is home to the ancient city of Machu Picchu. Another option is the Colombian Coffee Strength 3, which is grown in the foothills of the Colombian Andes. It has a smooth, sweet and nutty flavour. Then the Kenyan Coffee Taste the Difference Strength 3 is from the high plateaus of Mount Kenya. It's described as having a zesty, citrus and blackberry flavour. All are priced at £4 for a 227g pack. How to get free cofee Virgin Media O2 customers are cutting back on Greggs freebies including coffee. But there are plenty of other ways to get a free brew. Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains.. Download the Greggs 's app and sign up to its loyalty scheme for the first time to get a free hot drink. The offer includes tea, coffee and hot chocolate. You'll be able to collect loyalty stamps through the app, too, which add up to freebies. Octopus energy customers can also get a complimentary hot drink every week at Greggs by signing up to the Octoplus section on the power provider's app. Pop into Ikea during the week to get a free cup of tea or filter coffee with the store's loyalty card. It costs nothing to sign up to Ikea Family. You can also bag a free hot drink at Waitrose if you're a MyWaitrose member when you make a purchase instore. Get a tea, coffee, cappuccino or latte with the deal. And the purchase need not cost a lot – buy a piece of fruit or a cheap chocolate bar. Sign up at Plus, don't forget about loyalty schemes at the high street coffee chains. Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Caffe Nero all offer free drinks after a certain number of purchases — usually around nine or ten.
The Sun
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
I tried supermarket Aperol dupes – my £7 winner tastes exactly the same and makes the perfect summer cocktail
IF there's one drink that embodies summer, it's the Aperol Spritz. And with temperatures set to soar in the UK, now is the time to pour yourself a tangy, crisp and refreshing, tangerine-tinted aperitif. 8 A bottle of the original tipple will now set you back around £18 depending on where you shop. So, of course, the high-price tag has prompted some supermarkets to introduce their own, cheaper versions. But are they going to hit the spot on a sunny day? Aperol Aperitivo Italian Spritz (70cl) £17.65, ABV: 11 per cent At nearly £18, this market-leading aperitif is the priciest on my list but if you stick to the recommended measurements you will get 20 servings out of it, so I still didn't think it was too bad in terms of value for money. It has that distinctive luminous orange colour and I very much enjoyed my tipple. It has a more natural and herbaceous taste than some of the ' dupes ', which I enjoyed. Worth mentioning also that it's fairly low on booze with an ABV of 11 per cent. Fragrant and moreish - but surprisingly, it wasn't my favourite. Taste: 5/5 Value: 3/5 Overall score: 8/10 Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Orange Spritz Aperitif (75cl) 8 ABV: 8 per cent £6.50, Light and easy to drink, I found this refreshing and very easy to knock back on a summer 's day. I tested all the supermarket Aperol knock-offs and the best was a THIRD of the price of real thing It was much fizzier than the big brand and whilst I enjoyed the taste, it did have a slightly bitter aftertaste. It's not as boozy as the original but it's over £11 cheaper so a very wallet-friendly tipple AND a bigger bottle." Lidl Bitterol (70cl) £6.99, ABV: 11 per cent An almost exact copy of the original Aperol. It has the same glowing, blood-orange huge and a same 11ABV. Made up into the classic Spritz cocktail, the taste really hits the spot, with the familiar rhubarb, fruity and woody notes that sit somewhere between sweet and sharp in the glass. Served over ice with prosecco and soda, it's really hard to tell the difference between this and the original - except at the till where it's less than half the price. Definitely worth stocking up for summer. Taste: 5/5 Value: 5/5 Overall score: 10/10 Aldi Aperini Aperitivo Spritz (75cl) £4.29, ABV: 6.9 per cent One sip of this and I very nearly thought I was drinking the real deal. It's not as boozy with a low 6.9 ABV and the orange colour is much lighter. It was quite sugary and the texture was a little more syrupy than the others. But it had the full and vibrant taste of the branded drink. Loved the bursts of citrus and rhubarb. It's only a little over £4 - amazing value. Taste: 4/5 Value: 5/5 Overall score: 9/10 Casa Savoia Americano Rosso (50cl) £22.25, ABV: 18.6 per cent It's more expensive than the original but this comes in a super pretty bottle and would make a lovely gift. It's mixed so you only need to add the prosecco and ice to make your aperitif. It can also be used to make negronis if you prefer. The bitter sweet flavours are perfectly balanced with notes of bitter orange, cassia, cinnamon, rhubarb and a whole host of other botanicals. Really enjoyed this and nice that it's so versatile. It's not a big bottle and I definitely would have liked more of it. Taste: 5/5 Value: 3/5 Overall score: 8/10 M&S Low Alcohol Aperitivo (50cl) £13, ABV: 0.5 per cent For a low alcohol alternative, I really enjoyed this. It had subtle flavours of juniper, pink pepper, coriander, cinnamon and lavender. The flavours were quite smoky and it wasn't overly sweet like many of the low alcohol drinks on offer. Refreshing, with a hint of vanilla. Loved this with soda or low-alcohol Prosecco. Taste: 3/5 Value: 3/5 Overall score: 6/10 Tesco Spritzi Aperitivo Blood Orange (75cl) £5, ABV: 8.4 per cent A zesty white wine-based drink which is pre-mixed so you don't have the faff of mixing it up on your own. It's quite aromatic with floral notes but more subtle in flavour than the Aperol. It was missing a bit of juiciness and a bit of punch and I thought it tasted artificially sweet. A good price at Tesco though and a decent helping of booze. Taste: 3/5 Value: 4/5 Overall score: 7/10 How to bag a bargain SUN Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to find a cut-price item and bag a bargain… Sign up to loyalty schemes of the brands that you regularly shop with. Big names regularly offer discounts or special lower prices for members, among other perks. Sales are when you can pick up a real steal. Retailers usually have periodic promotions that tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout and shop when these deals are on. Sign up to mailing lists and you'll also be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too. When buying online, always do a search for money off codes or vouchers that you can use and are just two sites that round up promotions by retailer. Scanner apps are useful to have on your phone. app has a scanner that you can use to compare prices on branded items when out shopping. Bargain hunters can also use B&M's scanner in the app to find discounts in-store before staff have marked them out. And always check if you can get cashback before paying which in effect means you'll get some of your money back or a discount on the item.
