PRICE FIGHTERS
Tesco costs row with Heinz leaves some shelves empty
TESCO’S shelves are running bare of Heinz Beanz and Ketchup products as both sides refuse to back down in a dispute over pricing.
It’s understood Heinz has paused supply to the UK’s biggest supermarket chain, leading to the gaps on shelves.
Tesco’s website shows products including Beanz 4x415g, Sticky Barbecue Sauce 500g, Salad Cream 605g, Baked Beans & Pork Sausages 200g, Beanz No Added Sugar 4x415g Snap Pots 4x200g, Beanz No Added Sugar 200g and Chicken Noodle Soup 400g are unavailable.
A Tesco spokesperson said: “With household budgets under increasing pressure, now more than ever we have a responsibility to ensure customers get the best possible value, and we will not pass on unjustifiable price increases to our customers.
“We’re sorry that this means some products aren’t available right now, but we have plenty of alternatives to choose from and we hope to have this issue resolved soon.”
Kraft Heinz said: “We always look at how we can provide value through price, size and packs so consumers can enjoy the products they love and trust at a price point that works within their budgets, without compromising on quality. We are confident of a positive resolution with Tesco.”
Andy Clarke, former chief executive of Asda and now chairman of Newton Europe, said: “This, I would suggest, is about those two businesses getting to an agreement as to what a cost increase looks like, then Tesco have to decide how much of that they’re going to pass on protect their shoppers.”