CherriesSupermarkets make it impossible for customers to work out whether it is cheaper to buy bagged or loose fruit, according to a consumer watchdog.

Which? compared the cost of loose and bagged bananas at Asda, Morrisons, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Waitrose, finding that they all priced loose fruit per kilogram but bags per banana, as well as having a total price.

Supermarket Sweep - Tips & Advice

This left customers unable to work out which was the cheapest option.

Researchers found the best-value bagged bananas as Asda, but still could not tell if they were cheaper or more expensive than buying them loose.

Supermarket Sweep - Tips & Advice


Which? has called on supermarkets to show clear and consistent unit pricing per weight, volume or item to allow customers to easily compare costs.

But the British Retail Consortium (BRC) defended the practice, saying: "Official figures out earlier this week show food is helping keep overall inflation down, with competition between the supermarkets playing a big part. Customers aren't fools and have no difficulty finding best value.

"The law gives shops the option of selling by weight or by unit for products such as pre-packed fruit and vegetables. With some things - eggs, apples, bananas - how many they're getting matters more to customers than the overall weight."

An Asda spokeswoman said: "Our aim is never to confuse customers but to give them choice. We know they like having a choice about how they buy fresh produce. Some prefer shopping by number and others prefer shopping by weight.

"We offer both options as well as a clear guide on shelf-edge labelling as to how much products sold by number weigh and how much products sold by weight cost per kg."

Save money on shopping

  • 1) Know the price of everything you buy
    <p> </p> <p> This takes time, but once you know the cost of a phone call, putting the dryer on, or a bag of potatoes, it enables you to judge far better how much you can afford to consume.</p>
    1) Know the price of everything you buy
  • 2) Shop around
    <p> </p> <p> Once you know the base price, you are in a position to keep your eyes open for a better offer. If you see a discount you can judge for yourself whether it actually constitutes a bargain. For bigger things like utilities it enables you to do a proper price comparison and see if you can cut your bills.</p>
    2) Shop around
  • 3) Trade down
    <p> </p> <p> Don't just assume that the premium range is better, try the every-day brand, or even the basic version and see if you spot the difference. Likewise, consider trading down your supermarket from one of the big players to local markets or discounters like Aldi.</p>
    3) Trade down
  • 4) Plan
    <p> </p> <p> If you plan what you buy to match what you actually cook and eat then not only will you be able to budget far more effectively, but you'll also waste much less and find your money goes further without you having to try.</p>
    4) Plan
  • 5) Think creatively
    <p> If you can't think of a way to get your meat for less, consider a vegetarian day once a week. If you can't find petrol any cheaper, then work on making your driving as efficient as possible. The more you can think of clever alternatives the less you will have to make painful cuts to make ends meet.</p>
    5) Think creatively


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