Waitrose/Tesco Price Cartel

[Hymie]

I see that Waitrose is running a TV advertising campaign – the message of which is that they (Waitrose) are operating a price cartel with Tesco.

How long before the authorities take note of this activity, and impose yet another fine (tax on Joe Public), leaving those guilty of price fixing operations to enjoy the benefits of fleecing the British public?

[Playbill]

I have not seen any such TV advertisements, but have seen posters in the Waitrose store saying they have LOWERED some items prices to the same as Tesco.
They are not operating like a cartel with their fuel prices - Waitrose is the cheapest of all fuel suppliers in my area. Think they were about 3p a litre cheaper than Tesco when I last filled up.

[boxtops]

All the supermarkets (Waitrose/Tesco/Sainsbury/etc) run price comparisons these days - I have found Tesco to be really reasonable lately, lots at £1, not like the old days - particularly the special offers.
Tesco fuel was 128.9 on Friday for unleaded - how does that compare? it's the cheapest round here (but ours gets more expensive as you get nearer the docks!).

[Playbill]

Sorry boxtops, cannot remember exact price or what it is today. My girl friend and I both filled up day before the latest increase. I get emails from the fuel price comparison site and Waitrose was cheapest in my area - SE Essex. Beat Tesco by 3p. So we probably saved £3 or £4 between us. Every little helps!

[cassa333]

I went to waitrose today (well Sunday really...) and they had loads of 'we are the same price as Tesco' lables. However if you then go off and buy the other things you need then your overall bill will probably be more expencive than all the other supermarkets anyway.

[venator]

All the supermarkets check each other's prices all the time, and play games with loss leaders, basket pricing etc. and publicise what they are cutting. This is business, not price fixing.

If you want to check what's going on, check the trade magazine out - you need to subscribe for pricing details, but you can find articles elsewhere sometimes.

http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/

[moonraker558]

Try this it is good for local prices. http://www.petrolprices.com/

[rov1100]

On a TV advertisement today ASDA were boasting that a basket of groceries would cost 10% less than any of its rivals or would be given a refund.

Its shows how good competition can be. In Australia the food is nearly double what we pay.