Suncream bargains revealed
Our researchers find that discount retailers offer massive reductions in popular suncream products
HOLIDAYMAKERS are paying three-and-a-half times what they need to for big-brand sunscreen.
A Daily Record investigation reveals retailers hike up the price of the holiday essential – but we found hot deals on popular makes.
Our researchers knocked £10 off the price of a bottle of Nivea sun spray by buying at discounters B&M instead of M&S. We also found bargains at supermarkets including Asda and Tesco and at Savers health and beauty.
We selected four well-known brands and the biggest saving was on Nivea Protect and Moisture Sun Spray. The price at M&S was £14 but B&M had the same bottle for £3.99 and it was £4 at Tesco.
Riemann P20 Once a Day lotion cost £24.99 at Boots but £16.99 at B&M. We also found the same product, in higher factor 50, for £14.99 at Savers.
Garnier Ambre Solaire Sun Protection lotion was £3.99 at Savers but £5 at Boots. And Calypso Once a Day sun protection was £7 at Wilko but £6 in Asda.
Retail expert Bryan Roberts, of analysts TCC Global, said: “Discounters often buy up oversupply and purchase from clearance wholesalers who provide products from failed retailers or closed stores.
“They also have an ethos of using high-profile, fast-moving consumer goods like suncream as cut-price traffic drivers. These are products which are sold quickly and at relatively low cost. It’s low margin, high volume and often seasonal business.
“This is with the hope that shoppers will also spend on higher margin categories like toys, household goods and garden products.”
Consumer specialist Dr Lindsey Carey, of Glasgow Caledonian University, added: “The discounters have fewer overheads and therefore can sell products at a lower price.
“The source of the product may mean the price point is lower than in mainstream retailers.”
Steve Nowottny, of consumer website MoneySavingExpert.com, said further savings could be made by buying own-brand or recycling last year’s suncream.
He said: “You can find a ‘period after opening’ number on the back. It tells you the number of months after opening it should be OK to use.”
B&M said: “We’re able to sell big-branded products at a cheaper price as we have lower overheads and pass savings onto the shoppers.”
After we contacted M&S, the Nivea product was removed from sale. They said: “We sell a range of sun care products, including our own brand which is formulated by Australian skincare specialists.”
Boots said: “We are committed to offering customers great value products and expert advice. We offer a huge range of sun care products with price points.”
Savers Health & Beauty said: “We are able to offer the very best value on some of the biggest brands.”
Wilko said: “Our sun care range offers high levels of protection.”
Discounters have fewer overheads and therefore can sell products at a lower price