BARGAIN-hunters often pay more for their favourite treats at pound stores because they are increasingly being undercut by big-name supermarkets.
Shoppers fork out up to 75 per cent extra for some products at chains such as Poundshop, Poundland and Sam99p than at major retailers.
Examples include a pack of 240 Tetley teabags, which are £5 at Poundshop but just £3.49 at Tesco.
And Nescafé Azera coffee is £3.99 at Poundshop but just £3 at Sainsbury’s. After Eight Straws were £3.49 at Poundshop but £2 at Asda.
The comparisons, by Supermarket Own Brand Guide author Martin Isark, show just how competitive the big-name retailers are.
In some cases, shoppers may be fooled by different-size packs as pound stores often have smaller bags or tubs to sell them for £1.
For example, a pack of Milkybar White Buttons is £1 at both Poundland and Asda but Poundland’s are 80g bags while Asda’s are 94g.
Mr Isark said: “To hit the £1 price point, the brand products at pound stores are often smaller than the norm but gram for gram they can work out more expensive.
“These stores often don’t bother to put the price per 100g or 100ml on their website. This is not helpful for the savvy shopper to see if they are getting a bargain.
“Their Mickey Mouse sizes make it difficult to compare prices.”
“Thirty years ago, when these stores sold most of their products for just £1 they were a real bargain but today the big supermarkets can match and beat their cheap prices. Surely the writing is on the wall.”