Tesco is predicting a surge in demand for lunchbox staples this Bank Holiday weekend as families prepare for the new school term. Sales of kids' yoghurts and drinks are expected to rise by 42%, while berries and currants are forecast to increase by 14% compared with the same period last year.
Bank Holiday timing drives back-to-school spending
The retailer believes this year's late August Bank Holiday, which falls immediately before most children return to school, will drive more families to use the long weekend to get organised for the new term, shifting spending towards lunchbox and back-to-school essentials.
To support this, Tesco also has a 4-for-3 promotion running in large stores and online – for both Home Delivery and Click +Collect orders – on more than 110 lunch box snack favourites, including cheese snacks, kids yoghurt, cooked meats, snack bars, and small bottles of Evian Kids mineral water multipacks. In Tesco Express stores, there is also a 3-for-2 on selected products.
Strong demand for yoghurts and berries
Sarah-Jane Gregory, Tesco buying manager for yoghurt, said: "This year's Bank Holiday falls just before many children head back to school, so we're expecting lots of families to spend the weekend getting ready for the new term and stocking up on lunchbox favourites."
"We're forecasting particularly strong demand for products such as kids' yogurts, drinks and berries as parents look for convenient options for breakfast, lunchboxes and after-school snacks. We're also continuing to see significant growth in Greek yoghurt, with more customers choosing it as a versatile option that can be enjoyed at breakfast, paired with fruit, or used as a snack throughout the day."
This week is also expected to be the busiest school uniform shopping period of the year for shoppers at Tesco stores and online.
Greek yoghurt and stationery also see growth
The yoghurt rush is taking over more than just children's lunchboxes though, with Tesco reporting wider volume sales of Greek yoghurt up 32% compared with 2024. Tesco Finest Greek Yoghurt has been a particularly strong performer, with volume sales increasing by 181% over the last two years.
Sales of stationery could also be up 16% on last year's August Bank Holiday sales.
