Families across the UK have been tightening their belts as a result of soaring inflation as the cost-of-living crisis sees essentials such as bills, food and petrol surging in prices, leaving many struggling – especially those with children.
However, retailers have stepped up to the plate to help families this summers with a range of cut-price meals and activities. Retail Gazette rounds up what retailers are doing to help families during the school holidays.
Asda
Last week Asda revealed that children will be able to eat a hot meal at its 156 in-store cafes for just £1 with no minimum adult spend between July 25 and September 4.
The grocer said the initiative was introduced to help customers tackle holiday hunger as inflation deepens.
“We know that families can find the summer holidays tough, and our customers are telling us that this year more than ever, they’re concerned about holiday hunger,” Asda said.
“With that in mind, we are so pleased to be able to offer children’s meals for just £1, with no minimum adult spend, to ensure that those who would normally rely on a school meal aren’t left without.”
John Lewis & Waitrose
With up to three million children at risk of facing hunger over the school holidays, Waitrose and John Lewis shops will be donating over £1 million to fund places at holiday clubs, trips, equipment to support fun activities and healthy snacks and meals.
In addition to this, Waitrose will accept Free School Meal vouchers throughout the summer and will continue to work with FareShare to donate surplus food to people supported by their community partners.
Morrisons
Morrisons has introduced a ‘meal of the day’ for under a fiver to its 406 cafés nationwide after 3pm every weekday, with savings of up to £3.89 per meal, making them cheaper than the same evening meals at Wetherspoons, Harvester and Beefeater.
The meal on offer will rotate each day and customers can choose from British roast chicken served with chips and coleslaw, a chicken tikka masala, a 9-piece breakfast brunch and more.
Kids at the supermarket can now also eat free all day with the purchase of any adult meal meaning a family of four can enjoy a meal out together for just £9.98.
Head of Morrisons Cafés Ali Lyons said: “We know how hard it is for our customers at the moment and we want to make sure they are still able to enjoy a meal out, even on a budget. We’ve handpicked these favourites so that no matter what day it is, our customers can enjoy a saving.”
Ikea
All kids visiting the flat-pack furniture giant can eat this summer from 95p.
From 12th July to 3rd September, kids can enjoy any meal from the children’s menu, which includes one hot meal, jelly, a soft drink, and a piece of fruit.
Tesco
Kids visiting Tesco can eat for free when an adult spends £3.50 in one of their cafes nationwide.
The deal is running until September 1 and covers the lunch pick “n” mix meal deal, hot meal deal, alongside various breakfast options such as little eggs on toast.
M&S
M&S has launched ‘Sparks Day Out’, offering customers that spend over £35 on clothing and home, including schoolwear, access to discounts of up to 50% at more than 2,000 UK family attractions and experiences.
The initiative follows the findings in M&S’ latest Family Matters Report, which showed that whilst cost of living is front of mind as a concern for 82% of UK families, they are determined to make the most of a restriction-free summer.
Kids can also eat for free at M&S when an adult spends £4 in its cafe after 3pm, with the offer running until September 3. The kids meal deal includes one main, one side and one kids drink plus a piece of fruit with a total value of £3.95.
M&S has also vowed to freeze the price of its school uniforms this summer and is currently running a 20% off schoolwear promotion to make life easier for parents when their children eventually return to school.
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