Co-op shoppers have been left frustrated after the supermarket raised the price of its popular meal deal last week. Because of the changes, members will now pay £3.75, up from £3.50, while non-members face a new cost of £4.10 – an increase of 10p on last year’s rate.
This is the first time in three years that the supermarket has increased the price of its standard meal deal, which includes a main, side, and drink. A Co-op spokesperson explained that the hike was due to inflationary pressures, but highlighted that the premium meal deal remains unchanged at £5.50. “Our popular meal deal offers great value, with over 300 products to choose from, allowing shoppers to save several pounds compared to buying items individually,” said the Co-op spokesman.
“Unlike many others, we only use British protein and free-range eggs in our own-brand sandwiches, wraps, and salads, to ensure we provide real value with values to our members and customers.”
Despite these reassurances, the increase has left shoppers feeling the pinch- with some taking to X (formerly Twitter) and other social media platforms to complain.
On X, one user posted “Why is the Co-op meal deal now 3.75? I’m going to riot”, while another complained “How is Co-op charging £3.75 for a meal deal? W*F”.
A third one joked: “Co-op [is] now [charging] £3.75 for a meal deal – please can some attractive lass with an EU passport get me off this island?”
Consumer champion Martyn James told The Sun that £4 is the tipping point for many families. “The meal deal has supported millions of people watching the pennies over the years, but when we approach the £4 mark, it stops being a good deal,” he said.
“People may start dropping one of the components, like the drink or snack, to save cash. Raising meal deal prices is a false economy for businesses.”
The Co-op’s move mirrors recent changes at rival supermarkets. In June, Sainsbury’s raised the price of its meal deal from £3.75 to £3.95. Tesco followed suit in August, increasing its standard lunchtime meal deal by 25p to £3.85, with its Premium Meal Deal rising to £5.50 with a Clubcard.
For bargain hunters, yellow sticker deals remain a reliable way to bag items at a lower cost, and shopping for own-brand economy ranges – often called “downshifting” – can save hundreds of pounds annually. Consumer expert Martin Lewis has long advocated these choices as a practical way for families to stretch their budgets without compromising on quality.
While Co-op customers may be unhappy with the price hike, the retailer maintains that its meal deal still represents strong value in a rising cost-of-living climate.
