Morrisons has pledged to customers that it will not be beaten on price by its biggest supermarket rivals on hundreds of everyday products. The commitment signals another potential intensification in the price war between the UK’s top grocers as they seek to draw in more shoppers.
Morrisons, which runs around 500 supermarkets and 1,700 convenience shops, will be hoping its pricing strategy can help drive a recovery in its share of the UK grocery market, which has slipped back in recent years.
Market position and rivals
It was the sixth-largest supermarket group by market share, with an 8.5% share, in the 12 weeks to August, according to recent figures from Worldpanel. It was recently overtaken by Lidl and also remains behind Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco.
On Monday, Morrisons launched its “unbeatable prices” commitment, pledging it will not be beaten on price by any of the five major supermarket rivals.
Products covered
The promise will cover more than 500 weekly essentials, to ensure they can buy products at the same price or less than they would at rival stores. The Bradford-based chain said it will guarantee low prices on fresh products including bananas, tomatoes and carrots, as well as staples such as bread, butter and chicken fillets.
It also extends to fresh lines across the retailer’s Market Street counters, such as its fishmongers and bakeries. It comes two years after Morrisons first launched a price match against hundreds of Aldi and Lidl products as part of its fightback against the German discounters.
Company statement and context
Alex Paver, customer and marketing director at Morrisons, said: “Customers shouldn’t have to choose between great prices and great quality – and at Morrisons, they don’t have to. Our unbeatable price commitment means customers can trust that the prices on these products simply won’t be beaten by Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi or Lidl. And uniquely at Morrisons, that unbeatable value comes alongside the quality, freshness and expert service we’re famous for – from bread baked fresh in store to food prepared by our skilled Market Street colleagues.”
It comes days after accounts showed that Morrisons shed almost 5,000 jobs last year as part of efforts by the private equity-backed grocer to shore up its finances and turn around its performance. Morrisons started in 1899 as a market stall in Bradford. The first Morrisons supermarket opened in 1961. Morrisons Daily launched in 2015.
