Sainsbury's Makes Major Change To Meal Deal & Shoppers Aren't Happy

• Sainsbury's now classifies larger yoghurt pots as a main item in its £3.50 meal deal, causing customer confusion.
• The change affects supermarkets, convenience stores, and petrol stations, limiting the combination of items like sandwiches with yoghurts.
• Shoppers express frustration and disbelief on social media, with some calling it a rip-off.
• Sainsbury's asserts the meal deal offers over 500 options, including breakfast items and insists larger yoghurts are a popular choice.

Ever felt like your lunchtime ritual was sacred? Well, for many Sainsbury’s shoppers, a curveball in the form of a meal deal adjustment has left them scratching their heads in disbelief. Imagine this: you're in line, your heart set on a sandwich-yoghurt combo, only to find out your beloved yoghurt now counts as a main, not a snack. Yeah, that's the kind of twist no one saw coming.

Thomas Godfrey at The Sun highlighted that Sainsbury’s decision to elevate yoghurt pots to a main course status in their £3.50 meal deal has ruffled more than a few feathers. Customers accustomed to pairing a hearty sandwich with a large yoghurt now face a new reality where they must choose between the two. Signs have even sprouted up in some stores, attempting to guide bewildered patrons through this perplexing new landscape.

But here's where it gets tricky: not all yoghurts are created equal in the eyes of this meal deal. While larger, granola-topped yoghurts have ascended to the rank of a main, their protein-packed counterparts remain in the snack category. Cue the outrage and a slew of social media posts from disgruntled customers sharing their meal deal woes.

Yet, amidst the uproar, there's a silver lining according to some. The larger yoghurt, they argue, could serve as a healthier breakfast alternative, potentially making the meal deal a better value when you factor in a coffee and a chocolate bar saved for later. Sainsbury’s, for their part, stands by the change, touting their meal deal's extensive variety, including over 500 options that cater to breakfast as well as lunch on the go.

The broader context reveals this isn't an isolated incident; other supermarkets like Tesco and Co-op have also tinkered with their meal deals recently. However, it's the timing and nature of Sainsbury's adjustments that seem to have struck a nerve.

Tom Church, Co-Founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, commented, "Meal deals are a staple of the British lunchtime, offering convenience and value. When changes occur, especially ones that challenge the norm, it's understandable for there to be a period of adjustment and feedback. Sainsbury’s move reminds us of the delicate balance retailers navigate between innovation and meeting customer expectations."