Tesco flags up a bargain blunder

SUPERMARKETS giant Tesco has admitted that a promotional campaign blunder led to thousands of customers paying more for goods than the prices advertised on in-store banners.

The number one supermarkets group is vying with rival Asda to be seen as the country's cheapest grocer and has revealed a dramatic strategy aimed at promoting low prices.

A campaign urges customers to use its internet Price Checker to compare it with rivals.

Store banners list price comparisons with Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury and claim the chain offers the best value. But Tesco, which this month unveiled a record £2bn profit, charges different prices in different locations.

The banners were wrongly distributed, leaving the chain red-faced when customers pointed out that the posters did not live up to the prices on the shelves.

Tesco said: 'One store received some promotional boards that weren't intended for it. This was a mistake and the boards were removed.'

Meanwhile, Waitrose faces a £350,000 legal action following its acquisition of 19 former Safeway stores from Morrisons. Snap Digital Imaging, which used to operate photo-booths for Safeway, claims it is owed the money after Waitrose ended the contract when it took over the stores last year. Waitrose declined to comment.