Tue, 07 Oct 2025

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 Villagers 'punished' by supermarket pricing

Tesco says it charges the same as in larger stores but does not have shelf space for all its range.
Shoppers say many everyday items, including crisps, lentils, pasta, milk, meat, bread, and eggs, are priced higher than in larger stores or rival brands in the town centre. A spokesperson for Tesco said that the company's Express stores offer a range of everyday products at the same price as their larger stores, but shoppers dispute this, saying they have been unable to find value-range items in the smaller store. Diane Kindred from Gateshead Food Bank suggested that while Tesco needs to make a profit, the company could be doing more to help struggling residents by stocking cheaper value brands. According to a 2023 report by the Competition & Markets Authority, convenience stores face higher costs due to more frequent deliveries and staffing levels. Tesco said their Express store in Rowlands Gill does not have the shelf space for all product ranges available in larger stores.
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