Sainsbury’s customers have been left outraged after the supermarket chain hiked up the price of its delivery passes while shoppers continue to face a growing cost of living crisis.
Sainsbury's has upped the annual cost of its 12-month “midweek delivery pass” from £30 to £40 - an increase of £10, or around a third of the original price, the Mirror reports. The “midweek delivery pass” applies to online grocery orders that are delivered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.
Customers have also complained on Twitter about its annual “anytime delivery pass“ rising from £60 to £80. The “anytime delivery pass“ is for up to one free delivery every day, including weekends.
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One shopper, known only as Michelle, said: "Could I speak to someone about delivery pass renewal, please? Had mine cancelled despite updating card details - now paying £20 more…"
Sainsbury's has also increased the price of its six-month "anytime delivery pass" from £35 to £40. In another update, the supermarket has stopped selling three-month delivery passes and has replaced these with monthly passes.
These cost £7.50 for the monthly "anytime delivery pass" and £4 for the monthly "midweek delivery pass". The three-month "anytime delivery pass" cost £20 while the three-month "midweek delivery pass" was priced at £10.
Sainsbury's customers have called out the supermarket for upping prices as inflation hit a new 30-year record high of 7% in March - with experts predicting that it could reach 8% later this year.
Meanwhile, researchers at Kantar have warned the average food bill could rise by £271 this year. Kantar suggests grocery prices were 5.9% higher in April than a year ago - marking the biggest increase since December 2011.
George Day, 74, of Whyteleafe, Surrey, told The Sun the increased delivery pass price has an impact on vulnerable customers.
“We are pensioners," he said. "We rely on the delivery pass service as it is hard for us to get out and about these days.
“Sainsbury’s should think more about its vulnerable customers - that extra £10 could have been spent on our energy bills - keeping my wife and I warm.”
Another customer, Ron Newfield, said on social media that he had complained to the supermarket after he was charged £4 a time for individual deliveries. He said this had happened after his annual delivery pass failed to automatically renew at the £30 rate.
He added: “We are on their priority customer list too. Good customer service eh?”
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said, “Last year we updated our online groceries services so that we can offer simpler, more flexible ways to shop with us, while still offering great value.”
Shoppers have to spend a minimum of £40 when ordering for home delivery from Sainsbury’s using a delivery pass.
For customers that don't have a delivery pass, Sainsbury's charges between £1 and £4.50 depending on the time you want your shop delivered.
Orders under £40 are charged £7 for standard delivery. Customers who don't have a delivery pass must spend a minimum of £25.
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