Sainsbury's has ignited widespread customer fury after confirming a significant increase to its minimum spend requirement for standard home delivery services. The supermarket giant is raising the threshold from £40 to £50 for delivery pass holders, effective from April 7, 2026.
New Delivery Charges and Pass Options
Under the revised policy, customers who spend less than £50 per order will incur a fee of £7.50, marking an increase from the current £7 charge. Sainsbury's offers various delivery pass subscriptions to mitigate costs. The anytime delivery pass is priced at £7.50 per month, £43 for six months, or £80 for an annual subscription. Alternatively, the midweek pass costs £4 monthly or £40 for a full year.
For shoppers without a delivery pass, a delivery fee still applies even if they spend over £50. This fee ranges from £1 to £5.50, depending on the chosen delivery time slot.
Customer Backlash on Social Media
Annoyed and frustrated shoppers have taken to social media platforms to voice their discontent with the impending change. One customer expressed their concerns, stating, "@Sainsburys are raising the minimum spend on online groceries with a delivery pass to £50 which sucks because some weeks, as a single person, I don't spend more than that."
Another disgruntled individual highlighted practical difficulties, commenting, "Very disappointed that @Sainsburys are raising their minimum Delivery Pass spend to £50. I struggle to get to £40 most weeks, so now I'll have to find time to go to the supermarket and carry everything, usually requiring at least three trips a week."
A third person questioned the rationale behind the decision, asking, "@Sainsburys in what world do you think it's acceptable to change the cost per shop from £40 to £50 for delivery pass holders??"
Sainsbury's Official Communication and Justification
The supermarket confirmed the news directly to customers via email. The communication read, "We are writing to let you know about an upcoming change to your Delivery Pass terms and conditions. From 7th April 2026, you'll need to spend £50 or more per order, currently £40, to use your Delivery Pass."
The email further explained, "Most customers already spend enough to get free delivery and won't be affected. However, we understand this change may impact some of you. This is the first update to the free delivery spend in well over a decade and reflects the rising costs of providing this service. We remain committed to keeping online shopping as accessible, convenient, and affordable for our customers as possible."
Spokesperson's Statement
A spokesperson for Sainsbury's elaborated on the decision, telling the Sun, "We want to do everything possible to ensure online shopping is as simple and affordable for our customers as possible. The spend needed to qualify for standard delivery had remained unchanged for well over a decade, and after a recent review, it will increase next month from £40 to £50 to reflect the costs for our business in providing this service."
The spokesperson added, "The vast majority of our customers already spend over this threshold and will subsequently see no impact when shopping with us online, while options like our Delivery Pass and Click & Collect can help to reduce costs further."
