argos sainsbury's

Tesco launched a Christmas offensive against Sainsbury’s-owned Argos today with a price-checking initiative across more than 8,000 products.

The retailer promised it would be “at least the same price or cheaper” than Argos on all comparable products, including hundreds of toys, during the festive season.

Tesco is set to maintain its pledge by regularly checking and matching online and in-store prices at Argos, as it does with prices at existing supermarket rivals under the Brand Guarantee scheme.

Last month, Sainsbury’s upped the ante on non-food by completing its Argos acquisition and announcing the rollout of 30 in-store concessions by Christmas.

Earlier this week, Sainsbury’s CEO Mike Coupe told the IGD Big Debate he believed the increase in non-food sales from Argos would bolster its food sales.

In contrast to Sainsbury’s, Tesco has reduced the amount of choice in its non-food offering by undergoing a major rationalisation of its range and store model. However, it has also bolstered the remaining Tesco Direct range with free next-day click & collect. The latest move is widely seen as another strategic investment to prevent Sainsbury’s stealing a march on sales in the vital Christmas period.

Tesco has also launched a free 123-page toy catalogue available in nearly 900 stores across the UK.

“We’ve done a lot already to serve our shoppers better, but we’re always looking to do more. We want to take the hard work out of Christmas shopping and help our customers get everything they need under one roof,” said Tesco UK CEO Matt Davies. “That’s why we’re price-checking against Argos on over 8,000 products including the most loved toys.”