Research reveals just how much extra grocery delivery apps cost

Supermarket customers could be paying twice as much for some items for sake of convenience, reports Josie Clarke

- Josie Clarke

> A Deliveroo rider transporting a customer's order

(David Davies/Press Association)

CONSUMERS who order groceries through delivery apps could be paying twice as much for some items, a watchdog has warned.

Which? found that shoppers who ordered everyday supermarket essentials from Deliveroo, Just Eat or Uber Eats could be paying at least 20% more, with some items more than double the price.

The consumer group compared the prices of up to 50 popular grocery items from four supermarkets - Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Waitrose - against the three food delivery apps. Which? also checked Tesco's Whoosh same-day home delivery service to assess prices compared with buying directly from the supermarket.

On average, Which? found that Sainsbury's Nectar members had the most to lose by using a delivery app to fast-track their food shopping, as the supermarket does not apply its loyalty card discounts to delivery apps.

Members of the Sainsbury's loyalty scheme would see the biggest markup with Uber Eats, where they would pay an average 45% more. They would see a 41% increase with Deliveroo and 40% with Just Eat, compared with shopping in-store with their loyalty card.

Birds Eye Cod Fish Fingers (280g) were £3 with a Nectar card, but £6.25 through all delivery sites. Quorn Chicken Nuggets (300g) were £1.75 for Nectar card holders but £3.50 through the delivery sites.

The differences were less marked for those without a Nectar card, with customers paying 25% more at Uber Eats, 23% more at Deliveroo and 22% more at Just Eat.

The Which? analysis also showed that people shopping at Waitrose could be paying a third more (33%) by shopping through Uber Eats instead of directly with the supermarket.

The markup was less, although still significant, at Just Eat (30%) and Deliveroo (25%).