Tesco Raises Meal Deal Prices Again, Impacting Shoppers

The price of Tesco’s popular meal deal has increased for the second time within a year, effective from August 22, 2025. Customers with a Tesco Clubcard will now pay £3.85 (approximately $4.90), up from £3.60 (approximately $4.60). For those without a Clubcard, the price has risen from £4 to £4.25 (approximately $5.40). The Premium meal deal has also seen a price hike, moving from £5 to £5.50 for Clubcard holders and from £5.50 to £6 without a Clubcard.

Tesco’s standard meal deal includes a main item, a snack, and a drink. Popular main choices range from sandwiches and wraps to sushi and pasta pots. Snack options include crisps, fruit, and chocolate, while drink choices feature water, soft drinks, iced coffee, and energy drinks. The current best-selling combination consists of a Chicken Club Sandwich, a Tesco Egg Protein Pot, and a 500ml bottle of Coca-Cola, which purchased separately would total £6.50 (approximately $8.30), thus providing Clubcard users with a saving of £2.65.

Customer Reactions and Historical Context

The latest price increase has drawn immediate reactions from shoppers. An employee’s photo of the updated shelf label was shared widely on social media, prompting comments such as “genuinely outrageous” from users on X. Many expressed intentions to boycott the deal, with frustrations echoed on platforms like Reddit. One user remarked that while £3.60 was acceptable, anything higher was “getting a bit mad now.”

This price adjustment is not an isolated incident. In October 2022, Tesco raised the meal deal price for the first time in over a decade, increasing the cost for Clubcard holders from £3 to £3.40 and from £3.50 to £3.90 for those without. By 2024, prices had further climbed to £3.60 and £4, respectively. Similarly, Sainsbury’s increased its meal deal price by 20p in June 2025, setting the new rate at £3.95 (approximately $5.00).

Market Trends and Future Implications

The pressures facing supermarkets, including rising supplier costs, energy bills, and transport fees, have contributed to these price hikes. Analysts project that food inflation in the UK could reach 6% by the end of 2025. These trends affect both budget and premium products across various grocery chains.

A spokesperson for Tesco stated that the meal deal continues to offer strong value, particularly for Clubcard members. They also indicated that new options would be added to the Premium meal deal lineup, including items like the Finest Salmon Konbini Roll and the Finest Gochujang Konbini Roll.

While Tesco has not commented on potential future price changes, the current trajectory suggests that further increases may be on the horizon if inflation persists. Although Clubcard members still enjoy the best value, the savings are diminishing. For millions of customers who rely on the meal deal for lunch, this increase represents another challenge to their weekly food budget. As prices rise across the board, shoppers may need to reassess whether the convenience of the meal deal justifies its cost.