Tesco increases meal deal price by £3

Tesco has increased the price of its Tesco Finest dine-in meal deal by 25%.

The supermarket’s meal for two offer – which includes one main, one side, one dessert and one drink – was increased in price this week from £12 to £15.

A Tesco spokesman told The Grocer the deal still represented “great value”. The meal option was “a delicious, convenient alternative to dining out at a fraction of the price”, he said.

The price increase comes on the launch of a new Finest dine-in menu, featuring nine new products among the more than 20 mix and match options.

Tesco said it had made “further improvements to the quality” of ingredients across the refreshed spring menu range, which includes a Pork Crackling Joint with Cider Jus, Manchego Stuffed Chicken, and Lemon & Stem Ginger Posset.

Customers choose a main, side, dessert and drink from the range for £15 with a Tesco Clubcard. The deal had been £12 with Clubcard until yesterday.

“We have worked to improve the quality across our Finest Dine In range, investing in the ingredients and recipes, and introducing an updated menu,” a spokesman told The Grocer. “Clubcard members will pay just £15 for two people, offering a saving of up to £22.50, for a main, side, dessert and drink, including a range of beers or Finest wines, or non-alcoholic alternatives.”

The meal deal price increase comes amid an ongoing advertising campaign from the supermarket, in which it exclaims “We’ve not just cut prices – we’ve slashed them”.

Earlier this month, the supermarket said it expected profits to fall this year following an increase in the “competitive intensity” of the market in the past few months. In its annual results, Tesco said lower profit guidance reflected the need for “flexibility and firepower…to respond to current market conditions”.

It came after Asda kicked off a price war in March, with new boss Allan Leighton making clear the supermarket was prepared to “throw a tonne of a cash” at regaining lost shoppers. Tesco’s share price consequently fell 12% amid fears it would hurt profits.

“The announcement we’re making today is from a position of strength and what we’re saying is that whatever the competitive environment and whatever comes our way, we’re capable of dealing with it,” said CEO Ken Murphy at the time.