Smaller supermarkets must sell cheaper own-brand basics to help families fight living crisis, says Labour
EXPRESS supermarkets must sell own-brand value goods and not just pricy labels, Labour says.
Cheaper basics are available in just one per cent of smaller shops like Tesco Express, consumer group Which? has found.
It means shoppers must travel further — especially in cities — to get the best prices, as food inflation on stands at 17.4 per cent.
Rachel Reeves told The Sun Labour would step in and ensure that regulators intervene.
A Labour government would also instruct shops to provide updates on the cost and availability of their cheaper basics.
Ms Reeves said: “Many of us see adverts for low price products, but when you go to the shops they’re not always there.
“And unless you have a car or can get working public transport, it’s not easy for lots of people to go to a big supermarket regularly.
“That’s why it is vital that the government take action, and work with the regulator and supermarkets to make sure smaller stores are selling budget lines.
“While the government looks the other way, Labour will always stand with working people through this Tory cost of living crisis.”
Sue Davies, Which? Head of Food Policy said last night: “Households across the country are struggling to put food on the table during the worst cost of living crisis in living memory – yet most of the supermarket giants are failing to stock a range of budget lines that will support healthy choices in small stores despite the huge difference this would make to people who have to rely on them.
“Supermarkets have a responsibility to step up and ensure everyone has easy access to a sufficient range of healthy, affordable budget items at a store near them.”
The CMA said last week that consumers who don’t live near large supermarkets aren’t experiencing the full benefits of supermarket competition – as smaller stores have higher prices and a smaller selection of cheaper goods.
Earlier this month Morrisons said it would introduce 10 cheapie products from its Savers range to up to 500 convenience stores across the UK to help customers save cash.
Cheaper washing up liquid, toilet rolls and sausages were rolled out to smaller shops where more Brits can get their hands on them.