Tesco, Britain's biggest supermarket group, has hiked the price of its popular lunchtime 'meal deal' for the first time in over ten years as it is forced to respond to rampant cost inflation.
The grocer said on Friday the price of the deal, which typically brings together a sandwich, a packet of crisps and a soft drink, will from 24 October go up from £3 ($3.34) to £3.40 for members of its Clubcard loyalty scheme.
Meal Deal
Tesco said over 70% of its customers currently use a Clubcard when buying a lunchtime meal deal.
The price of the deal for those without a Clubcard will go up from £3.50 to £3.90.
Shoppers have been hammered by rising food inflation, which hit a record 13.9% in September, according to industry data.
Tesco, which is facing extreme cost headwinds, particularly energy, labour and currency, says that it is 'inflating a little bit less and a little bit later' than competitors.
Full-Year Forecast
Earlier this month it forecast full-year profit at the lower end of its previous guidance, blaming uncertainty over how consumer spending will evolve amid a worsening cost-of-living squeeze.
Tesco said a number of meal combinations would cost more than 6 pounds if purchased separately.
In July, McDonald's hiked the price of its cheeseburger for the first time in 14 years.
News by Reuters, edited by Donna Ahern, Checkout. For more retail stories, click here. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
