Tesco is raising the minimum spend for online store orders by 20 per cent to £50 from today as the supermarket is facing backlash from some customers for ‘price them out’.
The retailer has increased the minimum spend for online grocery deliveries from £40 to £50 from Tuesday 2 May.
It has also increased the surcharge it imposes on Delivery Saver customers who fail to meet the minimum spend from £4 to £5.
By comparison, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Iceland have all retained a £40 minimum spend for home delivery.
The supermarket giant has also increased the surcharge it imposes on Delivery Saver customers who fail to meet the minimum spend from £4 to £5
At Morrisons, the minimum spend is £25, but those who spend less than £40 will be charged £3.
Tesco announced the changes on their website, writing: ‘From 2 May the minimum basket amount will be increased to £5. The minimum basket fee will be added to all orders that do not meet the minimum basket value.
“At the same time, the minimum basket value for home delivery will change to £50. The minimum order value for Click+Collect will remain £25 across all stores.”
The supermarket justified changes to its Delivery Saver plan, saying it aimed to “reduce the cost of home delivery of your groceries.”
It added that the move would help ensure that its home grocery shopping operations remain as efficient as possible.
Tesco said: ‘Depending on the Delivery Saver plan you sign up for, as long as you stay above the minimum cart threshold, orders will be delivered free of charge on the times or days specified in your chosen plan.
“You can do that once a day for each day your subscription is valid. And with the Delivery Saver Guarantee, if your plan doesn’t save you money, we’ll give you an eCoupon for the difference.”
Tesco faced backlash from some customers who said the decision to raise minimum spend would ‘price out’ shoppers
Customers were angry about the increase, arguing that given the cost-of-living crisis and rising inflation, single households cannot afford the new spending floor.
One person said, ‘As a single disabled person, the minimum spend is way too high for me’, while another added, ‘As a single retiree, I can’t reach [a] £50 spent.’
Another said: ‘I don’t shop at Tesco much anymore. They now price themselves out of reach for many people. I shop at Aldi and Lidl which are usually cheaper for similar items.
Meanwhile, another tweeted angrily, “Are you taking the p**s?! First you reduce the value of the Clubcard rewards AGAIN and now I have to spend a minimum of £50 otherwise I have to pay for delivery? Everyone is trying to SAVE money and you pull this kind of ridiculous bullshit?? Absolute greed, disgusting.’
Compared to Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons and Iceland, Tesco will have the highest minimum spend on deliveries
Sainsbury’s requires a minimum spend of £40, otherwise customers pay £7
Asda shoppers have to spend £40 and they pay just £3 if they don’t
A fourth former customer adds: ‘As a single disabled person, the minimum spending is much too high for me. I just switched supermarkets this month.’
Responding to people’s comments, Tesco claimed that the “majority of our customers will not be affected by these changes, adding: “Our average order value is over £90, well above this new threshold.
Compared to Tesco, Sainsbury’s requires a minimum spend of £40 otherwise customers pay £7.
Asda buyers will have to spend £40 and only be charged £3 if they don’t meet the minimum spend.
Icelandic customers must spend a minimum of £40, but those under this amount also pay £3.
However, Morrisons only requires a £25 minimum spend and those under £40 will be charged an extra £3.
Iceland Foods offers free next day delivery for orders over £40. It requires a minimum spend of just £25 and delivery costs start at just £2.
Speaking of the increase in delivery costs, a Tesco spokesperson said: “To ensure we continue to serve our online customers the best we can, we are making some changes to our minimum shopping cart threshold from 2 May, the first change we’ve seen in almost eight months. year.
“For the vast majority of our customers, the way they shop won’t change.”
Speaking of their delivery costs, an Iceland Foods spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Iceland can confirm that: Iceland will continue to offer free next day online delivery for orders over £40.
“Iceland is the only online grocer that always offers free next day delivery. Iceland offers same-day delivery in just two hours. Minimum spend is just £25 and delivery costs start at just £2 (depending on your slot of choice – costs can be as high as £6).’
The spokesperson added “Iceland has no plans to increase” their online delivery costs, saying “Many Icelandic customers are struggling and need business” to stand shoulder to shoulder with them and provide affordable and quality food and service.’
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: ‘Our online shopping service has a £25 minimum spend. Customers can get delivery from just £1 (up to £5.50) when they spend £40 or more.
‘Those who spend less than £40 will pay a £7 delivery charge. Alternatively, customers can use Click & Collect for free from Sunday to Wednesday and from just 50 pence from Thursday to Saturday. Our same day charges are £7.50 for home delivery and £2 for Click & Collect.
“We also offer ‘Delivery Pass’, which means that customers can pay an amount in advance and then pay no delivery costs for online grocery orders, with a maximum of one per day.”
A Morrisons spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Life is expensive enough right now so we are doing everything we can to save our customers money and time when shopping.
Our delivery service offers convenience at a good price if you want items delivered to your home or you can save even more money by collecting them yourself.’
Asda has been approached by MailOnline and This is Money for a comment about their delivery charges and whether they will copy Tesco’s move.
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