Sainsbury’s Pulls the Plug on Staff Crisps and Biscuits

In a bold move supporting governmental efforts to curb obesity, Sainsbury’s has announced it is removing free crisps and biscuits from staff rooms across all its supermarkets, Argos branches, and distribution centres 

Instead, colleagues will be offered “light meal” options. like soups, porridge, and nutritious bread rolls.

Why now?

This change aligns closely with the government’s recent wave of anti-obesity measures led by the Labour administration under Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The NHS estimates obesity affects more than a quarter of the English population and costs around £11 billion a year 

Sainsbury’s CEO Simon Roberts, also a member of the Food Strategy Advisory Board, has been a vocal supporter of the government's approach, urging similar reforms across the wider food sector.

The supermarket has said the new staff policy is about “ensuring every colleague who needs it can have something to eat at work” and providing more consistent, healthier options 

Government Gearing Up for Widespread Obesity Crackdown

Sainsbury’s internal reforms are occurring alongside national regulations targeting high-fat, sugar, or salt (HFSS) products:

Sainsbury’s: Putting Fingers on the Pulse

According to ShareAction and Questionmark, Sainsbury’s has already phased out HFSS multibuys since 2016—making it the only major supermarket fully prepared for the incoming placement rules. However, it does continue to run other price promotions on HFSS items, including meal deals and simple price reductions—a strategy that limits but doesn’t eliminate impulse buys 

The new staff-only policy isn’t a symbolic gesture, it reflects a deeper cultural shift within the company. Simon Roberts is pushing for healthier standards across the entire UK food industry.

What This Means for Consumers & Colleagues

Employees now get healthier snack options in work spaces, supporting better energy levels and well-being during busy shifts.

Customers may eventually see fewer HFSS promotions at Sainsbury’s and across the sector, redirecting focus to healthier food choices.

Wider impact: Sainsbury’s action sends a signal to other retailers that corporate-wide health policies can and perhaps must go beyond legal requirements.

Final Thoughts

Sainsbury’s decision to replace free crisps and biscuits with better meal choices in staff areas is a strong internal commitment, mirroring the broader national push to shape food environments. Whether this will directly reduce obesity remains to be seen, but it signifies that health is being taken seriously not just by policymakers, but by major industry players as well.

As regulations tighten, and supermarkets respond, both employees and shoppers could find themselves with tastier, more nutritious options front and centre.

What do you think?

Could initiatives like this drive real change in UK eating habits?

Drop a comment below and let’s discuss!

Is Your Pop Potty About Peanut Butter? Then please read on!

Because That's Food and Drink has received some news about an utterly perfect present for him, for this Father's Day.

Then we have the perfect nifty gifty for you this Father’s Day. 

Introducing their new, limited edition PapaLife jars. Packed to the brim with thei delicious Crunchy Original Roast peanut butter, packed with a fresh look that’s befitting for the perfect Pa. This is, we think, the perfect way to say ‘YOU ROCK’ this Father’s Day.

PapaLife jars will go on sale in Waitrose priced at £4 from May 21st through to 17th June. 

You can also find it in selected Sainsbury’s stores from 28th May to 17th June, priced at £2.75.

The Cheapest Supermarkets in the UK: Where to Shop and Save

With the cost of living on the rise, finding the best value for your weekly shop is more important than ever.

Fortunately, the UK is home to a variety of supermarkets offering great deals on groceries, household essentials, and more. 

Whether you're feeding a family, living on a budget, or simply looking to save, here’s a guide to the cheapest UK supermarkets and tips for getting the most out of your money.

1. Aldi: Consistently Affordable

Aldi has long been a favourite for budget-conscious shoppers, and for good reason. Known for its no-frills approach, Aldi focuses on quality own-brand products at unbeatable prices. From fresh produce to pantry staples, it’s hard to beat their value.

Best Buys:

Fresh fruit and veg in their weekly "Super 6" deals.

Award-winning wines and spirits.

Budget-friendly household items and weekly special buys.

Top Tip: Shop early for special buys—they sell out quickly!

2. Lidl: Quality and Value Combined

Similar to Aldi, Lidl offers a wide range of affordable own-brand products that often rival big-name brands. Lidl is particularly strong in its bakery section, with fresh bread and pastries baked daily at wallet-friendly prices.

Best Buys:

Fresh bakery items, including their famous 85p sourdough loaf.

Seasonal fruit and veg at bargain prices.

Deluxe range for affordable luxury treats.

Top Tip: Look out for their weekly themed food weeks, featuring cuisines from around the world.

3. Asda: Best for Big Shops

Asda is known for its competitive pricing and extensive product range, making it ideal for larger households. Their "Just Essentials" range is particularly popular, offering everything from pasta to cleaning supplies at rock-bottom prices.

Best Buys:

Just Essentials range for basic groceries.

Rollback offers on branded products.

Fuel discounts at participating petrol stations.

Top Tip: Use Asda Rewards to earn cashback on your purchases.

4. Tesco: Great Value with Clubcard Deals

While Tesco may not always be the cheapest upfront, their Clubcard prices can make a significant difference. Signing up for a Clubcard gives you access to exclusive discounts and deals, as well as points to redeem on future shops.

Best Buys:

Clubcard-exclusive offers on meat, dairy, and snacks.

Tesco’s own-brand ranges, including "Stockwell & Co." for budget basics.

Discounts on petrol at Tesco filling stations.

Top Tip: Use your Clubcard points for discounts on days out, dining, and more.

5. Iceland: Frozen Food on a Budget

Iceland specialises in frozen food, but they also stock fresh and pantry items. Their bulk-buy deals and regular discounts make them a great choice for stocking up.

Best Buys:

Frozen meat, fish, and ready meals.

£1 value range for essentials.

Regular £8 off £40 vouchers for online shopping.

Top Tip: Check out Iceland’s Bonus Card for extra savings and rewards.

6. Morrisons: Affordable Quality

Morrisons offers a good balance of quality and price, particularly with their "Savers" range. They also have regular multi-buy deals and discounts on fresh produce.

Best Buys:

Savers range for basic items.

Fresh meat and fish counters.

Discounts on bakery items towards the end of the day.

Top Tip: Use their "More" loyalty card to collect points and earn vouchers.

7. Sainsbury’s: Best for Own-Brand Products

While Sainsbury’s is often considered mid-range, their "Imperia" and "Basics" ranges are excellent for budget shopping. With Nectar points and frequent discounts, you can make your money go further.

Best Buys:

Own-brand products for quality at a lower price.

Nectar card offers tailored to your shopping habits.

Regular promotions on household essentials.

Top Tip: Use the Nectar app to find personalised discounts and bonus points.

8. Online Options: Too Good to Go and Olio

For those looking to save even more, consider apps like Too Good to Go and Olio, which offer surplus food at heavily reduced prices or even for free. These platforms are a great way to reduce food waste and cut costs.

How to Maximise Your Savings

Plan ahead: Write a shopping list and stick to it to avoid impulse buys.

Compare prices: Use price comparison tools like Trolley.co.uk to find the best deals.

Shop late: Many supermarkets reduce perishable items in the evening.

Buy own-brand: Most supermarket own brands offer excellent quality at a fraction of the cost.

Shopping smart doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. With so many affordable options available, you can fill your trolley without emptying your wallet. 

Whether you’re a loyal Aldi fan, a Clubcard bargain hunter, or exploring Iceland’s frozen deals, there’s a budget-friendly supermarket for everyone. Happy saving!

Sainsbury's gets even saucier with Sauce Shop®

Sauce Shop®, the prestigious and award-winning condiments brand known for its experimental and flavour-infused sauces, is pleased to launch its newest innovation: Miso Teriyaki BBQ Sauce. 

This unique fusion combines all the best bits of a classic BBQ sauce and pairs them with much loved Japanese-inspired flavours and is now available at Sainsbury's stores nationwide RRP £2.80.

Tapping into the growing East meets West food scene, this Japanese inspired saucy delight brings the two sides of the globe together making the new Sauce Shop® Miso Teriyaki BBQ Sauce as trendy as it is tasty. 

Sainsbury's shoppers are expected to be stocking their cupboards as it promises to be a popular addition to every kitchen, perfect for grilling, glazing, marinating or simply adding a burst of flavour to everyday dishes.

It's a careful blend of sweet, savoury, and umami notes, combining the umami richness of miso with the smoky depth of traditional barbecue. Designed to lift everyday meals, this versatile sauce pairs with a wide range of dishes, from grilled meats and vegetables to stir-fries and burgers.

"We're excited to introduce our new Miso Teriyaki BBQ sauce exclusively to Sainsbury's customers, who we are aware are often on the lookout for new, exciting flavours. We know this combination of flavours works really well and will be perfect for anyone looking to incorporate Asian fusion flavours into their cooking with minimal efforts,” points out Pam Digva, Co-Founder of Sauce Shop®.

Product Highlights:

Tasting notes: Sweet tomato, sesame, red miso, providing a strong umami profile.

Uses: Marinating, dipping and drizzling.

Availability: Available from the 29th of September 2024 in Sainsbury's stores nationwide and online.

Packaging: 320g recyclable squeezy bottle.

RRP: £2.80.

Available online and in 300+ Sainsbury's stores across the country from this weekend.

For more tasty updates, follow Sauce Shop on social media @sauce_shop or visit https://www.sauceshop.co

That's Food and Drink believes this new sauce will be a welcome addition to the condiment shelf of anyone trying to magic up a real, but different treat, this Christmas.

Sainsbury's supports the Morocco earthquake and Libya floods

Sainsbury’s has announced it's donating half a million Pounds towards supporting those impacted by the recent devastating events in Morocco and Libya.

The retailer is donating £250,000 to Oxfam’s emergency response to the earthquake in Morocco. It's also donating £250,000 to the British Red Cross which is supporting those impacted in Morocco, plus those affected by the Libyan floods.

Simon Roberts, Sainsbury’s CEO, said: “Our thoughts go out to all of the families and communities affected by the terrible events in Morocco and Libya. We're donating a total of £500,000 split between Oxfam and the British Red Cross to support with providing emergency assistance on the ground. Both organisations are playing a vital role in caring for those affected and we hope that our donation will support their efforts to make a difference at this difficult and devastating time.”

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk

Parents are looking for ways to save, as average child’s birthday party now costs £279

Research from Sainsbury’s Nectar Prices finds 80% of parents say they’ll be spending more on their child’s birthday party this year.

An overwhelming 72% find party planning to be somewhat stressful, with staying in budget the most stressful part of it.

Now mom and presenter Josie Gibson partners with Sainsbury’s to urge parents to use Nectar Prices to save on party food and drink favourites from top brands.

September is the most common birthday month of the year and this means more parents than usual are in the midst of party planning for their children. 

According to new research by Sainsbury’s Nectar Prices, the average parent spends £278.70 when throwing a birthday party for their child, and that’s even before buying any presents!

With the cost of living still high, four in five parents (80%) say they’ll be spending even more on their child’s birthday party than they did last year, meaning what should be a joyous time is adding strain to their wallets.

As the cost of party planning goes up, parents are willing to get creative to provide their child with a magical experience. 86% of parents are looking for ways to stay within budget, with 62% saying they are considering cooking at home instead of eating out to help save money on their child’s party this year.

To help parents have a more positive party planning experience, TV presenter and mum Josie Gibson is partnering with Sainsbury’s to show how using Nectar Prices can keep the costs down. With constant new offers, parents can use Nectar Prices to help spread the cost and even buy birthday favourites and multipack deals in advance.

Josie Gibson said: “Any parent knows the stresses and pressures throwing a children’s party can bring; as I’m very familiar with, having just organised my son’s fifth birthday. 

"It’s a lot to think about, from bringing to life inventive themes, nailing the entertainment, and ensuring everyone’s favourite food items are on offer while also trying to not spend an absolute fortune. So, it’s great to know there are ways to save with Sainsbury’s, like using offers such as Nectar Prices, which means not having to give up on quality and variety.”

Josie isn’t alone in finding the party-planning process to be stress-inducing; almost three-quarters of parents (72%) confess to finding planning their child’s birthday party to be a stressful task. Indeed, many even secretly admitted some of their most stressful daily scenarios are preferred over party planning, revealing housework (56%), sitting in traffic (35%) and even public speaking (14%) to all be less stressful than planning a child’s birthday party.

The biggest contributor to this anxiety is worry about money. Over half (56%) of parents find trying to stay in budget to be the most stressful thing about planning a kid’s party, and a whopping 81% say they would buy food, drink and essentials for a birthday party in advance if they could get them at a better price.

With Nectar Prices available on over 5,000 products in-store and online across various party-friendly categories including fresh fruit and vegetables, drinks, confectionary and frozen items, parents can be rest assured that finding the perfect party items doesn’t need to break the bank.

Alex Naisby, Director of Loyalty and CRM at Nectar, said: “At Sainsbury’s, our number one priority continues to be doing all we can to keep prices low for our customers. Throwing a child’s birthday party should be a time for fun and frivolity, yet we know that many parents can feel weighed down by the stresses of planning and budgeting. 

"Through Nectar Prices we’ve lowered the cost of over 5,000 products across our stores, which we hope will help ease the stress of the next birthday party, family celebration or other special life moments – so people can focus on spending time with loved ones.”

Party essentials available on Nectar Prices this September are including popular branded items like Walkers crisps, Hartley’s jelly and Robinson’s squash and fruit shoots, as well as Sainsbury’s So Organic Carrots, Jacob's Mini Cheddars, Sainsbury's Millionaire Bites and Sainsbury's Stonebaked Margherita Hand Stretched Pizza.

A lot of this information will also be helpful for people planning for Christmas parties, too.

Spoiler alert: Sainsbury’s switches from use-by to best-before date on milk range to reduce household food waste

Affecting over 730 million pints sold annually, the move will make Sainsbury’s the biggest UK retailer to make this change.

Sainsbury’s has also recently completed the roll out of its clear caps across all own-brand milk bottles to improve packaging recyclability.

Sainsbury’s will be swapping use-by dates for best-before dates across its own-brand milk range, making it the biggest UK retailer to make this change.

The move will affect 44 products in total, including all fresh and organic milk sold across England, Scotland, and Wales, and will apply to over 730 million pints of milk sold by Sainsbury’s annually. 

Research from WRAP has shown milk is the third most wasted food in the UK, with over 490 million pints thrown away annually, often merely because the milk passed its use-by date.

Sainsbury’s switch to best-before dates aims to prevent customers from pouring away pints that are still safe to consume, giving them more time to use up their milk at home. The new labelling will start to roll out in the new year, with the change set to be complete by the end of February 2024. 

According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA), use-by dates are linked to food safety, whereas best-before dates relate to food quality. Food with a use-by date applied should never be consumed past this date (unless frozen on or before that date), whereas foods with a best-before date can be eaten beyond that date.

Sainsbury’s will be encouraging customers to follow the FSA’s guidance which recommends using sensory cues to see if milk with a best before date label has gone bad, for example, by sniffing the product.

Ruth Cranston, who is the Director of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability at Sainsbury’s, said: “Around a third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted3.Combatting food waste is one of our top priorities and we are continuously innovating to tackle this issue, all the way from farms and suppliers, right to our customers’ homes. 

"By switching to best-before dates on our milk we are empowering customers to make their own decisions on whether their food is good to eat, helping to prevent them from disposing of food too early.”

Catherine David, Director of Behaviour Change & Business Programmes at WRAP, said: “We're obviously delighted to see this change from Sainsbury’s, which will help reduce food waste in our homes. Wasting food feeds climate change and costs money, with the average family spending over £730 year on good food which ends up in the bin. Our research shows applying the appropriate date label to products can help reduce the amount of good food that is thrown away.

“Applying a ‘best before’ date to milk instead of a ‘use by’ date means people will be able to use their judgement to eat or consume beyond that date, allowing longer to use what they buy. Check out the Love Food Hate Waste for tips on how to maximise the life span of food. For example ensuring the fridge is below 5C, to keep food fresher for longer.”

Last month, Sainsbury’s completed the roll out of its new milk caps, meaning that all own-brand skimmed, semi-skimmed and whole milk is now sold with a clear cap, as opposed to a coloured cap, to improve the recyclability of the plastic.

Sainsbury’s is working hard to support its customers in reducing their household food waste, as part of The Courtauld Commitment 2030. Switching to best-before dates on milk is another example of Sainsbury’s bringing this commitment to life and follows its decision to move from use-by dates to best-before dates on its own-brand yoghurts last year, as well as removing best-before dates entirely from over 1,500 products including fresh produce lines like pineapples, pumpkins, and apples.

https://wrap.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-03/WRAP-Household-food-waste-restated-data-2007-2015_0.pdf

Tired of bland snacks? The Sainsbury's and CRAVE have got great news for you!

Challenger brand CRAVE has secured listings in selected Sainsbury's stores for its recently re-launched snacks: Pickled Onion Noughties and Hot & Spicy Hot Dawgs. Both are vegan and free from allergens, but they insist on not compromising on taste.   

Crave's tongue-in-cheek approach and fun, playful attitudes have resulted in some cheeky stunts which have proven to be highly effective, including an e-van outside Sainsburys HQ which read; “Dear Sainsbury's, We got sued, please stock us so we can pay our legal fees. Thanks, Love Crave x”

Created and launched by food consultant and former chef Rob Brice, Crave has developed products which are for everyone to enjoy, whether you're vegan, have an allergy or not.

“We are overjoyed to have Sainsbury's on board in our quest to banish blandness! For those with allergies or a preference for a vegan diet, the days of searching for tasty snacks are over.” explains Rob.  

CRAVE's journey this year hasn't been boring; to say the very least! A cease and desist order was issued from some big multinationals which led to CRAVE having to re-launch some of its named products.

In truth, it's It been a tumultuous several months, but this new backing from Sainsbury's shows hard work and perseverance pays off and the free-from and vegan market is very much in demand.

PRODUCT: CRAVE Pickled Onion Noughties Sharing Bag

DESCRIPTION: Pickled Onion flavour maize snack. Free from milk and gluten. Suitable for a vegan diet.

PRICE: from £2.00 for an 80g bag.

LISTING: Available in 198 Sainsbury's stores and online from 10th September 2023

PRODUCT: CRAVE Hot & Spicy Hot Dawgs Sharing Bag

DESCRIPTION: Hot & Spicy flavour maize snack. Free from milk and gluten. Suitable for a vegan diet.

PRICE: from £2.00 for an 80g bag.

LISTING: Available in 198 Sainsbury's stores and online from 10th September 2023

Want to join the Crave revolution and become a stockist? Please email hello@cravenomore.co.uk 

Sainsbury’s invests an additional £6m annually in its dairy farmers

Dairy farmers supplying Sainsbury’s with milk will be paid more from next month thanks to a £6m annual investment made by the company to support dairy farms for the future.

Recent reports have indicated that due to factors like rising costs nearly 5% of dairy farmers left the industry last year and one in 10 believe they will have left the sector by 2053.  

Acknowledging the increasing volatility of input costs and high levels of capital investment required by dairy farmers, Sainsbury’s undertook a year-long review, with the support of its Dairy Development Group (SDDG) farmer steering group, into how it pays farmers for milk.

Over the last year Sainsbury’s have paid over £66m of support to British farmers, including increased pay for milk. 

Coming into effect from October First, this latest investment in dairy pay is on top of an £8.9m booster payment given to SDDG farmers in April 2022. 

Since introducing the Cost of Production model to the SDDG back in 2012, Sainsbury’s has paid farmers, on average, 2.45p per litre more compared to the rest of the market, delivering a benefit of £114m.

£4.3m of this new investment will go towards giving farmers an additional fixed 1p per litre for milk on top of the independently calculated Cost of Production price Sainsburys the currently pays farmers.

 With the typical volume of milk produced per year, per farm being roughly 2.7m litres, this means the average farm could receive around £27,000 extra per year. 

Alongside the investment in the new price model, the retailer has also committed £1.7m for sustainability bonuses. Farmers will be rewarded for helping Sainsbury’s achieve its Plan for Better targets, specifically carbon reduction, through activities such as using sustainably sourced feed and using the correct amount of fertiliser, in the proper way. 

The retailer previously committed a sum of £2.6m in bonuses for dairy farmers but is expanding the investment as it shifts the focus towards sustainability.

With new compliance legislation for dairy farmers it’s expected many will need to make expensive updates to their farms, like upgrading and improving feed stores and increasing the size of slurry storage. 

This additional support from Sainsbury’s aims to give farmers the confidence and desire to invest in these long-term changes so they can continue production for years to come.

Gavin Hodgson, Director of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Horticulture at Sainsbury’s, said: “The dairy farming industry is increasingly challenging for farmers and we recognise the responsibility we have as a retailer to support farmers and the need for continuous investment in this sector. 

“We are justifiably proud of our continued investment into the Sainsbury’s Dairy Development Group and we're fully confident our £6m annual investment will help farmers plan for a long-term, sustainable future. In turn, we hope this will also provide surety of supply for our customers as we continue to champion British milk now and for the future.”

The SDDG was founded back in 2007 to provide more support to farmers. It includes over 260 farms who supply Sainsbury’s with its own brand milk. The group includes. For more information visit: Meet our milk farmers – Sainsbury's (sainsburys.co.uk)

East Horsley store relaunched as new Sainsbury’s Local

Sainsbury’s has recently opened its first store in East Horsley. This follows weeks of renovations and upgrade works to convert the premises on the corner of Kingston Avenue and Ockham Road South into a brand-new Sainsbury’s Local.

Sainsbury's has joined forces with North Guildford Food Bank as its local food donation partner, thus ensuring donations and excess food from the shop will go to local people in the community who need it the most. 

The charity joined Sainsbury’s colleagues, around half of whom are new to the store with the other half transferring from the previous store, to cut the ribbon and celebrate the opening morning.

Conveniently located at the end of Ockham Road South’s popular shopping parade, the new 2,000 sq. ft Sainsbury’s will serve and help customers between the hours of 7am and 11pm, daily.

The opening will bring a carefully curated selection of Sainsbury’s great value, high-quality foods, drinks, plus general merchandise within easier reach of East Horsley residents, whose nearest Sainsbury’s store was over six miles away in Fetcham until now. 

Offering everything from fresh bread and cakes baked daily in-store to delicious fresh fruit and veg, meat, fish and meal solutions, the new store is specially designed to bring more convenience and choice to customers.

As well as a dedicated Costa Coffee machine, customers can also take advantage of a new Click & Collect service in the store, conveniently which enables them to order online from Sainsbury’s much-loved Argos, Habitat and Tu Clothing brands for collection whilst they pick up their groceries.

Patrick Dunne, who is Sainsbury’s Property Director, said: “It’s always a genuine pleasure to bring Sainsbury’s to a new community for the first time and we’re really pleased to have completed work on this fresh Local in East Horsley.

"I hope our customers in the village will enjoy their new-look convenience store, both for the fantastic colleague service and the high-quality Sainsbury’s products now on offer in the same convenient location.”

Ryan Thompson, who is Sainsbury’s East Horsley Local Store Manager, said: “I’d like to thank everyone in the community for all the fantastic support we’ve received leading up to our opening, particularly the colleagues that make up my new team in-store. 

"I’m really proud of how we’ve come together to make the store’s launch a success. I’d also like to thank our customers for bearing with us whilst we transformed the store, it’s great to now be welcoming everyone to experience it for themselves.”

(EDITOR: My wife and I plan on making a visit to our new Sainsbury's local store which is a short distance from our home.)

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk

Sainsbury’s boosts value offering and savings for its customers

As the cost of living challenges continues to face shoppers, Sainsbury’s has revealed that it's still "totally focused" on providing great value on the products customers buy the  most often. 

From today onwards, Sainsbury’s has added in excess over 40 products to its Aldi Price Match campaign, making it the biggest yet with over 400 products. Additions include a range of by Sainsbury’s soups; burger buns and bread for those late summer BBQs; and sweet treats such as Bramley Apple Pies.

Whilst food inflation is showing signs of beginning to slow down, Sainsbury’s remains fully committed to passing on savings to its customers. 

With the price of butter continuing to fall, it's reduced the price of its by Sainsbury's British Butter 250g by 10% since May. It's  now £1.79. Cheese, fish fingers and toilet roll are some more of the popular products Sainsbury’s has lowered prices on ahead of the busy back to school period.

From today, Nectar Prices, which offers Nectar customers lower prices on a wide range of products, is also now available on frozen foods for the first time ever, completing the roll out of Nectar Prices across Sainsbury’s branches. 

Customers will now receive special Nectar Prices on in excess of 5,000 products in Sainsbury’s supermarkets and also online, with new deals launching including up to half price on frozen favourites like Birds Eye Fish Fingers, Goodfellas Thin Margherita Pizza and Linda McCartney Original Sausages. Since the launch of Nectar Prices in April, Nectar customers have saved in excess of £244m.

As Sainsbury’s continues to go big on providing value for its customers, it's also revealed it's increasing its Pocket Friendly Prices campaign to 55 products across most of its convenience store. This campaign highlights the great everyday competitive value it's offering customers on the most popular essentials in convenience, including by Sainsbury’s chicken breast fillets, butter and baked beans.

Earlier this year, Sainsbury’s launched Stamford Street, which is a new brand for all of its entry price point products. With the rollout of some 200 products now nearing completion, the distinctive packaging, dedicated in-store signage and custom website page make it easier than ever for customers to find everyday staples at budget-friendly prices.

Simon Roberts, who is Sainsbury’s CEO said: “We’re continuing to do all that we can to battle inflation and as costs fall, so do our prices.

"We’re passing savings on as quickly as possible, wherever we possibly can, so our customers get the very best prices when they shop with us. With our biggest ever Aldi Price Match and Nectar Prices campaigns, whatever you’re shopping for you'll always be getting great value at Sainsbury’s.

"From offering great value through its Stamford Street range and passing cost price savings on to customers, to Nectar Prices promotions, Aldi Price Match value and Pocket Friendly Prices for our convenience shoppers, Sainsbury’s value offering will help make delicious meals for busy families, great lunch boxes for the return to school and weekend treats affordable to more customers."

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk

Sainsbury’s opens brand-new store in Ketley, Telford

Sainsbury’s has launched its newest store this week with the opening of Sainsbury’s Ketley Holyhead Road Local in Telford, Shropshire.

 Now open from 7am to 11pm seven days a week, the new store has created new jobs for local people and supporting regeneration in the neighbourhood, whilst providing more convenience and shopping choice for residents. 

Customers will now have the opportunity to enjoy Sainsbury’s latest convenience range, from fresh fruit and veg, healthy snacks and food-to-go to sweet, savoury and frozen staples. 

They'll also be able to choose from a delicious selection of freshly baked breads and pastries daily, as well as picking up Argos, Habitat and Tu Clothing products ordered online via the in-store Click and Collect service.

Conveniently based on Holyhead Road, the new store was built on the site of The White Lion pub. Sainsbury’s was originally due to lease the building from the owner of the former public house, but subsequently stepped in to purchase the site and build a new store following serious complications during the previous owner’s conversion. 

The new convenience store was sensitively designed in conjunction with the local planning authority, to reflect the look and feel of The White Lion and remain in keeping with the local area.

The colleagues that comprise the new store team will play an active role in the local community whilst also participating in Sainsbury’s national charitable schemes and programmes and initiatives. EG, through Sainsbury’s partnership with Neighbourly, the new Local store will work with local food donation partners including Telford Crisis Support to help ensure all surplus foods from the store will go to those who need it the most. 

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Property Director, said: “It’s been a pleasure to welcome Sainsbury’s Ketley Holyhead Local to our estate this week. We really pulled out all the stops to build the best store we could, working with the Council to agree on and incorporate various nods to the appearance of the original building. We’re delighted with the result and we think our customers will be too.” 

Adrian Harris, Sainsbury’s Ketley Holyhead Road Local Store Manager, said: “It was a privilege to join members of my new store team to cut the ribbon and declare our new Sainsbury’s Local open for the community. We know our neighbours have been looking forward to our arrival and we were really pleased to be able to welcome them for the first time today.”  

(EDITOR: It's interesting to recall that the original building dated back to at least the 16th century, it bore a plaque dated 1661, so the building was at least 362 years old.

This is what the White Lion looked like before it was demolished, the image is attributed to Gordon Cragg / The White Lion, Ketley / CC BY-SA 2.0.)

Sainsbury’s brings more shopping choice to Wapping with exciting new local store

Sainsbury’s has launched its newest store with the opening of Sainsbury’s Wapping Lane Local in Tower Hamlets, London. 

Open from 7am to 11pm seven days a week, the 1,658 sq. ft store has created new jobs for local people and supporting regeneration in the neighbourhood, whilst providing a much-needed boost to retail options for local people.

Customers now have the opportunity to sample Sainsbury’s latest convenience range, from fresh fruit and veg, healthy snacks and food-to-go to sweet, savoury and frozen staples. 

They'll also be able to choose from an absolutely delicious selection of freshly baked bread and pastries every day, plus pick up Argos, Habitat and Tu Clothing products ordered online via the in-store Click and Collect service. (EDITOR: I love my Tu jacket!)

Conveniently located on the corner of Wapping Lane and Green Bank, it's a mere two minutes’ walk from Wapping Rail Station.

Sainsbury’s new store is located on the ground floor of a former office building, the upper floors of which have been converted into a suite of luxury apartments by Malins Group. 

The two companies have worked closely together to ensure, like the flats above it, the new Local has been sensitively designed to stay in keeping with the local area. This included updating some of the external elements originally proposed in response to community feedback.

The colleagues making up the new store team will play an active role in the local community whilst also participating in Sainsbury’s national charitable programmes and initiatives. 

For example, through Sainsbury’s partnership with Neighbourly, the new Local will work with local food donation partners to help ensure any surplus food items from the store will go to those who need it most.

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Property Director, said: “It’s been a real pleasure to welcome Sainsbury’s Wapping Lane Local to our estate this week. We’ve recognised the very real chance a new convenience store would represent for the local community in Wapping for some time now and we’ve really pulled out all the stops to bring our plans to life, making the most of an unique space in a fantastic redevelopment project. We’re delighted with the result and we think our customers will be too."

Jamie Buckland, Sainsbury’s Wapping Lane Local Store Manager, went on to say: “I felt privileged to join members of my team to cut the ribbon on our brand new store this week and we were thrilled to see a queue of customers patiently waiting outside before we opened. We know our neighbours have been looking forward to our arrival and we're really pleased to be able to welcome them for the first time today.”

Lauren Atkins, MD with The Malins Group, said: “It’s always a privilege to repurpose underutilised spaces and transform them into vibrant new ones. 

"The benefits of permitted development are clear at Green Bank Lofts, where the collaborative efforts of The Malins Group and Sainsbury’s have enabled a speedy transition from unused office building to 18 apartments and thriving retail space.”

Sainsbury’s Local helps bring new lease of life to Jericho redevelopment site

Sainsbury’s customers in Oxford have the opportunity to check out a brand-new Sainsbury’s Local, following the opening of the retailer’s latest store as part of the redevelopment of the Jericho Health Centre on the corner of Walton Street and Cranham Street, in Oxford. Colleagues are pictured gathering to cut the ribbon and celebrate the launch of the new store.

Conveniently situated just north of Oxford's city centre, the 2,745 sq. ft. store will serve customers between the hours of 7am and 11pm every day.

Local residents, workers and shoppers now have the chance to pick up a bite to eat from Sainsbury’s delicious selection of sandwiches and ‘food to go’, plus being able to pick up a hot drink from the shop's self-service Costa coffee facility. 

What's more, delicious fresh bread and pastries will be baked in the store itself every day and it will also stock a superb range of great value, high quality fresh foods, fruit and vegetables, plus other grocery and household products, besides.

Customers will also be able to collect products from the much-loved brands of Argos, Habitat and Tu Clothing, ordered online and delivered via the in-store Click and Collect service.

The 19 colleagues that make up the new store team plan to play an active role in the local community whilst also taking part in Sainsbury’s nationwide charitable programmes and initiatives. For example, through Sainsbury’s partnership with Neighbourly, the new Local will work with local food donation partners to help ensure any surplus food from the store will go to those who are truly in need.

Patrick Dunne, who is Sainsbury’s Property Director, said: "We're thrilled  to introduce a brand new Sainsbury’s Local to customers in Oxford today with the opening of our latest convenience store on the estate. Our investment in Jericho hasn't only generated new job opportunities for local people but also enhanced convenience and choice in the neighbourhood while bringing Sainsbury’s great value, high-quality products closer to more of our customers.”

Carla Browning, Sainsbury’s Oxford Walton Street Local Store Manager, said: “It’s been fantastic to cut the ribbon and open our new store today after weeks of hard work to get everything ready to welcome customers for the first time.

"We feel our new store has lots to offer the local community and my team and I are really looking forward to helping and serving the people of Jericho for years to come.”

Sainsbury’s is working hard to ensure that as a business it is operating sustainably, for example by reducing plastic across its operations and supply chain as one of its key priorities. Most recently, the retailer announced that it has removed plastic trays from its by Sainsbury’s steak range, replacing them with a cardboard tray alternative, as previously covered by That's Food and Drink.

Sainsbury’s introduces cardboard trays to its by Sainsbury’s steaks, saving over 10 million pieces of plastic annually

Sainsbury’s has announced it is to remove plastic trays from its by Sainsbury’s steak range, replacing them with a cardboard alternative which uses 70% less plastic.

The new trays will launch across 10 products in the range and is now available in all stores and online. They can be recycled at home by rinsing the cardboard tray before placing it your kerbside recycling bin or container.

Sainsbury’s introduced cardboard tray packaging to its Taste the Difference and So Organic steaks previously.

The announcement is the latest in a range of changes made by the retailer on packaging. In April, Sainsbury’s went trayless on whole chickens and also removed plastic bags from its entire banana range earlier this year saving 192 tonnes of plastic. 

Sainsbury’s was the first UK retailer to introduce cardboard cartons to its own-brand liquid laundry detergent range saving a further 22 tonnes of plastic a year.

Claire Hughes, who is Sainsbury's Director of Product and Innovation said: “As part of our Plan for Better commitments, we are trying to reduce plastic packaging across our own brand ranges, as we know that reducing plastic is important to our customers but also on our environmental impact. 

"It’s why we are always looking at ways to innovate our packaging and reduce or replace plastic wherever we can, as quickly as we can. We’re pleased to save another 10 million pieces of plastic a year by swapping our by Sainsbury’s steak trays to cardboard following the changes we have already made on So Organic and Taste the Difference packaging . While we are making good progress, we know there is more to do and we are committed to making bold changes that help us achieve our plastic reduction targets.”

www.sainnsburys.co.uk

Sainsbury’s invests £15m on household staple price

Sainsbury’s is investing £15m to cut the price of cupboard staples like rice and pasta to assist customers with managing their budgets. 

It will also become the only supermarket to offer Freefrom pasta at the same price as standard pasta as part of these latest price cuts. 

This latest round of reductions is part of Sainsbury’s commitment to keep prices low on the high-volume products that make the most difference to its customers. Sainsbury’s will continue to make price cuts on popular essential products throughout the rest of the summer.

Sainsbury’s is also announcing that all by Sainsbury’s ‘happier and healthier’ whole chicken breast fillets will now be included in its Aldi Price Match for the first time ever. This follows the commitment in March 2023 that all by Sainsbury’s chickens will have 20% more space than the industry standard, meaning customers can be certain they'll be getting the best of both worlds. Keen prices on chicken, but with no compromising on chicken welfare.

Rhian Bartlett, Food Commercial Director at Sainsbury’s, said: “As the cost-of-living challenges continue, we remain dedicated to lowering prices on the essential products that make the biggest difference to our customers.”

“In the last two years we’ve invested £560 million in keeping prices low and more recently we’ve reduced the price of high-volume essentials including bread and butter, milk, tuna and toilet rolls, too."

He went on to say: "These latest price cuts will help reassure customers we'll continue to pass on savings as soon as we see the wholesale price of food fall. Customers will find great deals when they shop with us and they don't need to go elsewhere to get the best prices on their everyday food essentials.”

However, Sainsbury's are emphasising that the price reductions for customers doesn't mean they'll pay farmers any less.  

A spokesman said: "We work closely with farmers to help them navigate cost pressures while continuing to invest in keeping prices as low and competitive for our customers as we can."

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk.

Kings Cross Commuters to team up with Sainsbury and Comic Relief

Sainsbury’s ‘DINspiration’ pop-up launches 26 and 27 June in London Kings Cross, giving busy workers dinner inspiration by offering grab-and-go meal kits.

This pop-up follows research by Sainsbury’s revealing a massive 74% of commuters think about what they'll be having for dinner on their homeward commute.

For a mere 50p, commuters can purchase a complete meal kit inspired by Sainsbury’s Inspired to Cook range, with all the proceeds being donated to Comic Relief.

Sainsbury's is donating 50p to Comic Relief for every Inspired to Cook product sold until 11th July.

Research by Sainsbury’s has revealed that deciding what to cook for dinner is high on the agenda for commuters, with 74% saying they think about their evening mealtime on their journey home.

Mid-week dinners seem to be missing variety due to this on-the-go attitude, with 63% of Brits admitting they struggle to come up with healthy meal options for dinner, citing lack of inspiration as the key reason behind this issue (32%).

Over a quarter (27%) of us confirmed they we'd vary our meals more often if it was quick and easy to do, with an additional 25% saying we'd like to introduce healthy recipes and variety into mealtimes. Over 50% of Brits confirmed we cook between one and four dishes on repeat each month.

Sainsbury’s is serving up a dose of ‘DINspiration’ and helping to solve this commuter's dilemma with a new two-day pop-up in London’s Kings Cross, offering commuters a flavourful, healthful grab-and-go meal kit for two, containing ingredients from its Inspired to Cook range, alongside fresh ingredients and recipes needed to cook the meals at home.

Peckish commuters can pick up a meal kit for a mere 50p, with all proceeds donated directly to Comic Relief. The amount raised from these sales highlights a wider initiative by Sainsbury’s, in which the retailer will donate 50p for every product sold from its Inspired to Cook range in store and online from now until 11th July.

This forms part of Sainsbury's Nourish the Nation programme with Comic Relief which aims to tackle food poverty now and in the future. Overall, it's hoped this six-week drive, which launched on 31st May, will contribute at least £3million to the programme this summer.

The DINspiration pop-up will be available to commuters outside London Kings Cross station on 26 and 27 June from 5pm to 7pm. The kits will contain complete ingredients for recipes such as Teriyaki Stir Fry and Harissa Chicken Traybake, helping busy commuters find inspiration for their dinners in a convenient, nutritious, and time-effective way.

Ruth Cranston, who is Sainsbury’s Director of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability said: “With so many people lacking dinner inspiration, we hope our pop-up adds a bit of flavour to commuters' mealtimes. 

"Our Inspired to Cook range is designed to inspire our customers’ food choices, helping them to cook fresh, nutritional meals with ease. And now, with Sainsbury's donating 50p from every Inspired To Cook product sold until 11th July, this popular range not only tastes good, but does good too. All funds raised will go to our long-standing charity partner Comic Relief as part of our Nourish the Nation initiative, which seeks to prevent people falling into food poverty now and in the future."

Working in partnership with Comic Relief, Sainsbury’s Nourish the Nation programme supports organisations such as Feeding Britain and The Bread and Butter Thing in their work to help alleviate food poverty in communities across the country.

www.sainsbury.com.

Sainsbury’s rolls out Nectar Prices into new categories

Sainsbury’s has expanded its Nectar Prices initiative and it's now offering some great discounts on dairy and bakery products, available in store and online.

The change means there are now over 900 products available through Nectar Prices, helping Nectar customers to save even more money on their shopping.

Customers can expect great value and enjoy half price on selected products including household favourites such as Philadelphia cheese and a range of Yeo Valley milk.

Following the launch of Nectar Prices in April, Sainsbury’s is now expanding its initiative by introducing offers on dairy and bakery products for the first time. The change means Nectar customers can continue to make big savings, but now on a wider range of items, when checking out in Sainsbury’s supermarkets or online.

Products will also include customers favourite household brands with Nectar Prices discounts on a range of dairy products including Cathedral City mature cheese (usually £4.75, Nectar Price £2.75), Philadelphia cheese (usually £2.20, Nectar Price £1), Yeo Valley organic semi skimmed milk (usually £2, Nectar Price £1) and Lurpak 500g butter (usually £5, Nectar Price £3.25).

Lower prices will also be available on a range of popular branded bakery products including Soreen fruit loaf (usually £1.50, Nectar Price £1) and Warburtons bagels (usually £1.85, Nectar Price £1).

Sainsbury’s own-brand lines including Taste the Difference and by Sainsbury’s products will also be included with great offers on family favourites including Taste the Difference Carrot Cake (usually £3, Nectar Price £2), a range of by Sainsbury’s folded flatbreads (usually £1.35, Nectar Price £1) and by Sainsbury’s plain tortilla wraps (usually £1.20, Nectar Price £1).

The expansion means Sainsbury’s now has over 900 products included in Nectar Prices, spanning a wide range of categories including health and beauty, confectionery and snacking, beers, wines and spirits, household, baby and pet and food cupboard items, as well as the latest addition of dairy and bakery.

Products will continue to be added to Nectar Prices, ensuring all Nectar customers get great value on a wide range of items all-year round.

Already a Nectar customer? All existing Nectar customers need to do to benefit from Nectar Prices is scan their app or swipe their card at checkout to save. Customers shopping online will have their discounts applied automatically if their Nectar and Sainsbury’s accounts are linked.

Want to become a Nectar customer? Shoppers can sign up to Nectar Prices by joining on the Nectar app, online at www.nectar.com, or by picking up a Nectar card in store.