What happened to washing powder tablets?

A._Badger

Did I miss a memo? Was there a scare story in the Mail?

Over the past year the shelves of most of my local supermarkets have been more or less denuded of washing powder tablets, replaced with the very same 'big box' powders, they were desperately trying to stop us buying a few years ago.

Does anyone know what is behind this?

Lugh_Chronain

Fairy Non Biological Tablets - 20 Washes (40) most supermarkets sell these though ASDA appear to be the cheapest at £5.29 (26.5p/Wash).

Ariel Actilift Biological Tablets - 20 Washes (40) again most supermarkets sell these, cheapest is £5.49 (27.5p/Wash) at Waitrose.

Ariel Actilift Biological Tablets with Febreze - 20 Washes (40) £5.49 (27.5p/Wash) at Waitrose.

Bold 2in1 Lavender & Camomile Tablets - 20 Washes (40) cheapest ASDA £4.98 (24.9p/Wash)

Bold 2in1 Ocean Clear Tablets - 20 Washes (40) Tesco only appear to sell these at £6.49 (32.5p/Wash)

Simply Sensitive Eco-Smart Non Bio Tablets - 15 Washes (30) current cheapest Sainsbury's at £1.99 (13.3p/Wash) until 03/01/2012.

Simply Pure Eco-Smart Hypoallergenic Non Bio Tablets - 15 Washes (30) Sainsbury's at £1.99 (13.3p/Wash) until 03/01/2012.

Persil Non Biological Tablets - 20 Washes (40) any 2 FOR £9 (22.5p/Wash) at Sainsbury's until 03/01/2012 and £4.50 (22.5p/Wash) at Tesco until 02/01/2012

Most most supermarkets sell there own brands as well. Not sure which are the cheapest though ASDA's have 24 Washes (48) for £3.58 (14.9p/Wash)

Aldi also sell there own brand as well Almat Laundry Tablets (Non Bio), £2.39 per 36 pack (18 washes at 13.3p per wash)

If you're having difficulty finding any of these then maybe consider finding a store that does. I've found my local Tesco Metro doesn't always sell what I'm after and tend to go to one of the larger extra stores quite frequently. Sometimes find this with ASDA as well.

cagsd

I've bought washing powder tablets for about the past 3-4 years now and haven't noticed a problem in getting them. I usually buy Tesco own brand ones or occasionally the cheap ones from Home & Bargain and can always find some.

moggymutt

I've always bought co-op own brand tablets , stocking up when on offer- never pay full price). They have never tested on animals which is why I use their brand, but I have to use tablets instead of powder because I just cant bear washing powder- the smell as its poured in :eek:, or the texture if I accidentally got some on me:eek::eek:

I'll be having hysterics if they ever do away with tablets:o

withabix

Very few big box powders in my Tesco. Nearly all tablets and pillows.

SailorSam

You should try Soap Nuts, they're natural so more eco friendly and can save you money as well.

A._Badger

Sorry if I didn't explain myself. It's not that I couldn't find any (though there were few - and this was in a major branch of Asda) but that the shelves were stacked far more fully with the 'old fashioned' powders which a few years ago they were trying to phase out. I've subsequently checked in both Sainsbury's and Tesco, with the same result: a small stock of tablets, most effort clearly going to powders.

What I am wondering is why there has been a major shift back to loose powders?

Of course, it's possible this is a regional trend, as Withabix (above) seems to have the opposite in his/her local stores. I'm in Kent ad it's certainly what is being promoted here.

Lugh_Chronain

It could also be price. If the demand isn't high supermarkets won't either stock it or will stock less. They appear to know what to put on there shelves based on how people shop. This tends to be the case with more prominent groceries.

You can check the prices on mySupermarket. Check by comparing what it says in the brackets next to the prices mentioned on mySupermarket.

A._Badger

Lugh_Chronain wrote: »

It could also be price. If the demand isn't high supermarkets won't either stock it or will stock less. They appear to know what to put on there shelves based on how people shop. This tends to be the case with more prominent groceries.

You can check the prices on mySupermarket. Check by comparing what it says in the brackets next to the prices mentioned on mySupermarket.

I'm afraid I've given up on mySupermarket after they let a six year old redesign it.

As for stocking, I tend to the view that supermarkets and manufacturers are often proactive not reactive. They try to drive sales for (often hidden) reasons, almost always designed to extract more money from the mug punters - us!

Stompa

A._Badger wrote: »

Sorry if I didn't explain myself. It's not that I couldn't find any (though there were few - and this was in a major branch of Asda) but that the shelves were stacked far more fully with the 'old fashioned' powders which a few years ago they were trying to phase out. I've subsequently checked in both Sainsbury's and Tesco, with the same result: a small stock of tablets, most effort clearly going to powders.

What I am wondering is why there has been a major shift back to loose powders?

I've certainly noticed the reduction in tablets, but had concluded that perhaps they were being slowly phased out in an attempt to get people to switch to the (typically more expensive) liquitabs.

Lugh_Chronain

A._Badger wrote: »

I'm afraid I've given up on mySupermarket after they let a six year old redesign it.

As for stocking, I tend to the view that supermarkets and manufacturers are often proactive not reactive. They try to drive sales for (often hidden) reasons, almost always designed to extract more money from the mug punters - us!

Yeah, I was thinking that too and that's why I made the point of saying prominent groceries. Even though they are proactive there's probably little point stocking their shelves completely with special offers, etc. Although, after watch Panorama the other day it does make you think.

Also agree with you about mySupermarket too. Why the heck did they change their previous website!? It's not easily navigable as it was previously.