SHOPPERS will want to know about these major changes hitting supermarkets in 2023.
Britain’s favourite shops from Morrisons to Tesco are introducing a number of changes next year.
1
From a labelling shake-up to loyalty scheme revamps, here’s what you need to know.
Co-op and M&S price freezes end – January
Co-op and M&S froze or dropped prices on hundreds of products in November, but this will come to an end in January.
Co-op slashed prices of over 100 of its most popular products, from crisps to pizza.
While M&S extended its price lock commitment on 100 items including orange peelers and soup.
Both supermarkets committed to the locked or lower prices until the end of January, 2023.
It is not known what will happen to prices after this point – but we’ve asked both supermarkets for more information and will update this story when we know more.
Tesco yellow sticker shake-up
Tesco will continue to roll out a yellow sticker shake-up in stores over 2023.
Yellow sticker items are food that is nearing its use-by date – they are heavily discounted in price so stores can shift stock and avoid food wastage.
Most read in Money
Some items are marked down by as much as 80%.
The supermarket has been re-branding its reduced to clear areas, which is where yellow sticker items are usually found.
They will now be called “reduced in price – just as nice” and a sign will be placed above the shelves so shoppers can easily spot the deals.
The new section has already been rolled out to 100 stores, and more stores will see the changes rolled out over 2023.
Sainsbury’s ditches plastic lids – March
Sainsbury’s will remove single-use plastic lids across some of its own-brand ranges from March next year.
Products affected include: guacamole, tzatziki and sour cream and chive dip
Lids on yoghurt, crème fraiche, sour cream, cream, cottage cheese and custard pots have already been ditched.
The move will save 71 million pieces of plastic per year.
Morrisons label changes
Morrisons will be making more changes to the way it labels certain food items next year.
It will see more pre-packed items – like berries, grapes and stone fruit – displayed in a different way to prevent food waste.
Morrisons has already been getting rid of date labels and removing display until labels.
Instead, a code system has been put in place to ensure Morrisons workers keep fresh produce on shelves.
Some items have had dates removed completely recently – such as bananas, watermelon and pineapple.
Shoppers are being encouraged to use their own judgement as to whether food has gone off.
More stores to open
A number of supermarkets are expanding the number of shops they own next year.
Asda plans to open 30 new convenience stores, called Asda Express, in 2023.
The stores will be smaller and in more urban locations, compared with the supermarket’s huge, out of town stores shoppers are used to.
Each store will stock around 3,000 products, including a range of fresh and chilled groceries, as well as products from Asda’s premium Extra Special range and a broad selection of beers, wines and spirits.
While Aldi aims to boost its number of shops from 980 to at least 1,000.
There continue to be gaps in the south of the country and the capital where Aldi hopes to target.
Tesco’s Clubcard app to close
As part of Tesco’s big loyalty scheme shake-up earlier this month, the standalone regular Clubcard app will close next year.
Instead, it will be replaced with the separate Tesco Grocery & Clubcard app.
It’s part of a major revamp that now sees customers get personalised coupons every two weeks.
Previously, shoppers received the offers a maximum of eight times a year.
The coupons will be selected based on your previous shopping and include bonus points and instant discounts to use both in-store and online.
The digital coupons will be available to scan on the Grocery and Clubcard app, so you don’t need to worry about losing track of paper coupons.
Tesco hasn’t set an exact date for when the standalone Clubcard app will close, but it said shoppers will be warned in plenty of time.
Tesco could scrap all fresh food counters
Tesco is reportedly thinking about closing its remaining fresh food counters in 279 of its stores in the new year.
Earlier this year, Tesco announced it would close 317 deli and hot food counters over 2022 in a major shake-up.
It is now considering scrapping the remaining fresh food counters, according to The Sunday Times.
Asda Blue Discount scheme ends – March
Asda’s Blue Light Card discount scheme was due to end on 11:45pm on New Year’s Eve.
But the supermarket extended the scheme, which sees some shoppers get 10% off their shopping, until the end of March 2023.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
The scheme sees NHS, police, army, charity, fire and social sector workers get reduced food, George clothing, homeware and toys.
It was set up to help them through the cost of living crisis, and is available in all Asda supermarkets.
The full list of people who qualify is on the Blue Light Card website.
