Are Sainsbury's trading fairly?

Markee1

I would be interested to hear comments about this. It seems to me that Sainsbury's are offering a better deal to those who shop in store compared to those who shop on line. Before covid, Sainsbury's would send out money saving coupons (eg £5 off a £50 shop) which could be used instore or online. Now it seems these coupons are only valid instore. Also I became aware of Sainsbury's "my nectar prices" which I thought was great. I followed the instructions and got the Nectar app only to realise that again this is instore only. My point is that I pay for my delivery slot. Why should I / or anyone be excluded from additional savings because we use their delivery service at these difficult times.  Are Sainsbury's right to do this? Are they being fair?

Brie

I don't think they are fair.  And not a very good store either.  

We don't have the app and don't want it.  But I would like to receive the vouchers.  But they won't send them to me, just my OH.  And they can only be used with his card not mine, even though we are on the same account.  Not like Tesco where is all joint.

Not impressed by their lack of customer service, lack of concern about things on the shelves that are up to 2 years out of date, we've had shop assistants shouting at us and instantly calling for a manager even when we've approached them with a smile and made comments beginning with "I know you must be busy but when you have some time perhaps you could (check a price for me or similar)."  

400ixl

People who shop in store are more likely to be enticed to spend more money through promotions on the aisles etc. This is why they want you in the store.

I don't see what they are doing as illegal, some may call it unethical. If you feel that way, vote with your money and shop elsewhere.

[Deleted User]

Click Discover on their website, its near the top of the page between offers and recipes and theres freebies and competitions.

Thrugelmir

Markee1 said:

Why should I / or anyone be excluded from additional savings because we use their delivery service at these difficult times.  Are Sainsbury's right to do this? Are they being fair?

The cost of home delivery is escalating upwards. So you are receiving a benefit given the amount you are charged for the service. If Sainsburys wish to promote instore shopping then that's  a commercial decision. Nothing to do with fairness. 

[Deleted User]

Thrugelmir said:

Markee1 said:

Why should I / or anyone be excluded from additional savings because we use their delivery service at these difficult times.  Are Sainsbury's right to do this? Are they being fair?

The cost of home delivery is escalating upwards. So you are receiving a benefit given the amount you are charged for the service. If Sainsburys wish to promote instore shopping then that's  a commercial decision. Nothing to do with fairness. 

You can save a lot of money on delivery if you can afford a year up front. I paid £40 for a midweek pass, before that it was costing me £72!

jon81uk

The cost of the delivery slot doesn't reflect the actual cost of picking the items off the shelf, packing them, loading into a van, driving it to you and bringing it to you. Would you be happy paying £20 for the delivery?

The Nectar prices are only available to those using Smartshop, so those shopping instore who don't want to scan their own products won't get the discounts either.
Offering 30% off around 10 items to try and tempt me into buying them is just one more way Sainsbury's are trying to get me to spend more. Its also to try and make people scan their own shopping so fewer till staff are required.

For the other Nectar offers of bonus points it doesn't matter how you shop, everyone can get them.

Its their decision to offer different discounts and prices for different methods of shopping.

Stuart_W

Aldi charge £4.99 just for click and collect and don't even bother to offer a delivery service on top as the fee would probably need to be around the £20 mark. 

Those are the kinds of costs you'd see if you wanted all home delivery prices to be the same as in store prices.

If you are paying £40/year and get a weekly delivery, the 77p per delivery you are paying goes no where near the actual cost of providing the service. They rely on a decent margin on the items you're buying to cover the delivery costs.

I regularly use Iceland who manage same pricing and free delivery, but even they are likely to introduce more in-store only promotions I would think, or maybe a higher minimum spend (it recently increased to £40 for free delivery). They rely on having few lines and limited "budget" type ranges so have a decent margin on most items.

For someone to pick, pack and deliver a shop it is not currently being covered by delivery charges. Expect this to change or the prices differences between instore and online to widen.

calleyw

Stuart_W said:

For someone to pick, pack and deliver a shop it is not currently being covered by delivery charges.

Stuart I have been saying this for a while. The last article I found was from about around 2015 ish where its been suggested that its was costing/losing supermarkets between £7-£15 per delivery.  Guessing that has increased with wages and other associated costs. But I was told by people on this part of the forum I was making it up and if it was costing that much the supermarkets would stop offering it.  So you are banging your head against a brick wall getting them to understand it.  People think delivery should be free and should be a gold standard service.  Think some even think it should all put away for you for that price!!!!!

mimi1234

Same with Waitrose. I've only ever shopped online as the stores are too far away. All my vouchers are £8 off when you spend £40 in store or £10 off a £100 spend online.

@Brie wow that's bad service. I've always found Sainsbury's in store staff very helpful and customer focused.

Murphybear

Thrugelmir said:

Markee1 said:

Why should I / or anyone be excluded from additional savings because we use their delivery service at these difficult times.  Are Sainsbury's right to do this? Are they being fair?

The cost of home delivery is escalating upwards. So you are receiving a benefit given the amount you are charged for the service. If Sainsburys wish to promote instore shopping then that's  a commercial decision. Nothing to do with fairness. 

The supermarkets actually make a loss on their delivery charges, it costs them a lot more than the amount they charge.  Maybe they are trying to recoup some of this 

ps sorry, I hadn’t realised someone has already mentioned this