A recent BBC Panorama investigation reveals discrepancies in Tesco’s Aldi Price Match scheme, indicating products may not be equivalent.
- 122 products were analysed, revealing 38 items with significantly lower main ingredient content compared to Aldi’s offerings.
- Conversely, 12 products from Tesco were found to contain more of the main ingredient than their Aldi counterparts.
- Key product comparisons include chicken nuggets and chilli con carne, with notable differences in ingredient percentages.
- Tesco defends its practices, emphasising transparent labelling and regular quality reviews for consumer informed choices.
According to a BBC Panorama report, scrutiny has been cast over Tesco’s Aldi Price Match scheme. The investigation into 122 products during August uncovered that 38 products had at least five percentage points less of their main ingredient than the Aldi products they were matched against.
Specific examples highlight these discrepancies, such as Tesco’s chicken nuggets containing 39% chicken while Aldi’s equivalent featured 60%. Similarly, in the case of chilli con carne, Tesco’s product comprised only 15% beef compared to Aldi’s 27%. These findings suggest a potential misalignment in the notion of ‘like-for-like’ products as marketed by Tesco.
Notably, the investigation also uncovered instances where Tesco’s products surpassed Aldi’s in ingredient content. Examples include Tesco’s Hearty Food Co 10 fish fingers, which contained 64% Alaska pollock in contrast to Aldi’s 58%. Additionally, Tesco’s Eastmans coleslaw was found to have 57% cabbage, compared to Aldi’s 47%.
Responding to the findings, Tesco asserted that a higher percentage of an ingredient does not necessarily denote superior quality. They further maintained that all their products include ingredient information, allowing customers to make informed purchasing decisions. Regular quality assessments form part of Tesco’s commitment to ensuring comparable product quality with discount grocery competitors.
Tesco is one of four major UK supermarkets engaged in price matching strategies, alongside Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons. Notably, Asda was the first to introduce a price match scheme covering both Aldi and Lidl, with Morrisons following in February. These initiatives suggest a broader trend towards competitive pricing among UK supermarkets.
The Panorama investigation casts light on the complexities and challenges of effectively implementing a like-for-like price match scheme.
