Asda Leads the Way with Discounted Quality Street Tins for the Festive Season
As the festive season approaches, supermarkets are vying for consumer attention with enticing deals on holiday staples, and Asda has taken a decisive lead by significantly discounting its large, retro Quality Street tins. The 813g tins, typically priced at £12, are currently available for a mere £4, a substantial saving of £8. This translates to a cost of just 49p per 100g of the beloved confectionery assortment. This pricing strategy undercuts Asda’s own 600g plastic tubs, which retail for £3, and represents significantly better value compared to the same tubs sold at Tesco and Morrisons for £6. For chocolate lovers seeking the classic tin experience, Asda’s offer is undeniably attractive, although it’s important to note that these discounted tins are currently only available for in-store purchase. This shift may reflect a strategy to draw customers into physical stores, potentially leading to additional purchases.
Quality Street, a nostalgic favorite since 1936, continues to hold a special place in holiday traditions. The assortment boasts a diverse selection of chocolates, including iconic pieces like The Purple One, Toffee Finger, Orange Chocolate Crunch, Strawberry Delight, and The Green Triangle. As Christmas draws nearer, it’s anticipated that supermarkets will intensify their promotional efforts with further deals to capture a share of the increased consumer spending synonymous with the festive season. Last year, for instance, Aldi drastically reduced the price of the same Quality Street tins to £7.99 on Christmas Eve, demonstrating the dynamic pricing strategies employed during this period. Consumers looking to maximize their savings are encouraged to compare prices across different retailers and explore the various product formats available.
Savvy shoppers understand that a “sale” price isn’t always the best deal. Price comparison websites and tools are invaluable resources for ensuring that you’re getting the most value for your money. Popular options include Google Shopping, which provides a comprehensive overview of product prices across the web; Price Spy, which tracks price history from thousands of retailers; Idealo, which ranks products from cheapest to most expensive; and CamelCamelCamel, specifically designed for comparing prices on Amazon. Utilizing these tools allows consumers to make informed decisions and avoid overspending, particularly during the holiday season when budgets can be stretched thin.
Nestlé, the manufacturer of Quality Street, continues to innovate its product offerings, introducing both novelties and nostalgic throwbacks. This year, the personalized Quality Street tin service, previously available at John Lewis, has been discontinued. While the pick-and-mix counters remain, the personalized tins are no longer an option, with consumers now limited to the standard £12 tin. However, Nestlé has unveiled a new version of the 813g tin, highlighting Quality Street’s heritage in Halifax, where it originated and continues to be produced. This tin can also be purchased empty and filled at John Lewis pick-and-mix stations, offering a degree of customization. Additionally, the coffee creme flavor, a fan favorite absent for over two decades, has returned for its second consecutive Christmas, available at select John Lewis pick-and-mix stations and in a limited-edition cracker at Waitrose and John Lewis.
In a move towards greater sustainability, Nestlé is piloting paper Quality Street tubs in 60 Tesco supermarkets. These paper tubs feature a re-closeable lid and retain the signature Quality Street purple branding. This initiative follows last year’s controversial shift from the traditional foil and plastic wrappers to waxed paper, a change met with mixed reactions from consumers. The introduction of paper tubs doesn’t necessarily mark the end of the plastic and metal tins, as both formats continue to be widely available. The trial reflects Nestlé’s ongoing efforts to balance consumer preferences with environmental considerations.
For savvy chocolate consumers, there are several strategies to keep costs in check. Opting for supermarket own-brand chocolates can offer significant savings for those less concerned with specific brands. Comparing prices across different retailers, either manually or through price comparison websites like Trolley.co.uk, ensures you’re securing the best deal. Looking for yellow stickers, which indicate reduced prices on products nearing their best-before dates or with slightly damaged packaging, can also yield significant savings. Finally, purchasing larger bars often provides greater value per 100g, assuming you can consume the larger quantity before it deteriorates. By employing these strategies, chocolate lovers can indulge their cravings without straining their wallets.
