Aldi price match at Tesco
- BBC Panorama found that many Tesco products price-matched to Aldi contain lower proportions of main ingredients.
- Some Tesco items had more of the main ingredient, but many others showed significant reductions in quality.
- The findings raise questions about the effectiveness and transparency of Tesco's price-match strategy.
Recent investigations by BBC Panorama revealed discrepancies in Tesco's price-matching strategy with Aldi. While Tesco claims to match Aldi's prices on around 700 items, many of these products contain lower proportions of key ingredients compared to their Aldi counterparts. For instance, Tesco's chicken nuggets contain only 39% chicken, while Aldi's version has 60%. This trend raises concerns about the quality of products being offered under the price-match scheme. Despite some Tesco products having more of the main ingredient, such as fish fingers and coleslaw, the overall findings suggest that Tesco may be reducing the quantity of expensive ingredients to maintain competitive pricing. Consumer expert Kate Hardcastle highlighted that this practice can significantly impact the perceived value of ready meals and other products. Tesco has defended its price-match initiative, stating that it continuously reviews product quality and ensures that price-matched items are comparable to Aldi's offerings. The supermarket emphasizes that all products provide clear ingredient information, allowing customers to make informed choices. Aldi's recent financial success, with pre-tax profits tripling to £536.7 million, indicates a growing customer base attracted by its low prices. The rise in Aldi's sales and the increasing popularity of own-label products suggest a shift in consumer preferences, which may challenge traditional supermarkets like Tesco to adapt their strategies to retain customers.