// Tesco says nine in 10 people don’t know what’s in their kitchen before shopping at a supermarket
// The grocer has issued new advice to cash-strapped shoppers on how to reduce spending and food waste
A new study from Tesco has revealed that 92% of Brits don’t always know what they already have in their kitchens before shopping in a supermarket.
The grocer has issued new advice to cash-strapped shoppers on how to reduce buying unnecessary food.
Despite 65% of shoppers acknowledging that a store cupboard stock take would help them reduce food waste, 80% don’t always do this, and instead hit the aisles or order in a takeaway without checking what they already have.
This leads to increased spending, duplicate purchases, incomplete meals and ultimately, food ending up in the bin as ingredients are overlooked and left to spoil.
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The research found:
• 68% of people have purchased food without realising they already have the same item waiting at home
• 62% of UK adults have missed items from their food shop because they mistakenly believed they already had the item
• As a consequence, 53% have had to change meal plans
The move, which it said was aimed at helping families in the grip of the cost of living crisis, has seen the retailer set out calls for a Use Up Day, whereby shoppers use up the contents of their fridge before buying more.
Tesco also released the results of a YouGov survey of more than 2,000 adults in the UK to back up its campaign, suggesting that nine in 10 shoppers don’t know what they have in their kitchens before they venture to a supermarket.
The research also revealed 73% of UK households have thrown away forgotten items lurking in cupboards, fridges and freezers.
“At Tesco, we want our customers to be able to get more out of their food shop whilst keeping delicious meals on the table,” Tesco head of campaigns, Tony McElroy said.
“That’s why we’re encouraging shoppers to implement a weekly Use Up Day, take stock of what they have in their kitchens and make a shopping list before going out to shop. A little planning can help to spend less and reduce food waste, helping both our pockets and the planet.”
