Tesco sparks fury with big changes to online shopping orders

Tesco has announced it will be making a big change to its online orders within weeks – but the move has enraged loyal shoppers.

The supermarket giant is now raising the price of its minimum spend on delivery.

From May 2nd, shoppers will have to spend at least £50 on their orders – rising from £40.

While minimum spending on delivery will be raised, the UK’s largest supermarket will also raise a surcharge from £4 to £5 if Delivery Saver customers don’t increase their basket fee to that level.

Shoppers were angered by the decision, branding it “greedy” as the cost of living crisis has caused UK households to tighten their belts.

Minimum spend for Click & Collect remains the same across stores and is currently £25.

To make its customers aware of the change, Tesco wrote on its website: “From 2nd May the minimum shopping cart fee will be increased to £5. The minimum cart fee is added to all orders that do not meet the minimum cart value.

“At the same time, the minimum basket value for home delivery is changing to £50. The minimum order value for Click+Collect remains at £25 for all stores.’

The supermarket has justified changes to its “Delivery Saver” plan, saying it aims to “lower the cost of home delivery of your groceries”.

They added that this move will help ensure their Grocery Home Shopping operation remains as efficient as possible.

Tesco explained on the website, saying: “Depending on which Delivery Saver plan you sign up for, orders will be delivered free of charge during the times or days specified in your chosen plan, as long as you stay above the minimum basket threshold.

“You can do this once per day for each day your plan is in effect. And with the Delivery Saver Guarantee, if you don’t save money on your plan, you’ll receive an eCoupon for the difference. Visit our Delivery Saver website for more information and to sign up.’

However, shoppers were upset by the hike, saying they can’t afford the basket hike amid the cost of living crisis and inflation.

This is despite Tesco saying that “the majority of our customers will not be affected by these changes. Our average order value is over £90, well above this new threshold.’

But loyal shoppers have vented their anger on social media.

One person wrote on Twitter: “Are you taking the p**s?! First you cut the value of Clubcard rewards AGAIN and now I have to spend at least £50 or I will be charged for delivery? Everybody’s trying to SAVE money and you’re doing this ridiculous crap?? Absolute greed, disgusting.’

A second wrote: “Those lovely people @Tesco are @it again. To hell with you if you’re only willing or able to spend a whopping £40 + delivery. We don’t need or want your habit anymore.’

While another said: “So @Tesco are not only reducing the value of their club card rewards and increasing their delivery charges (cheapest delivery spot used to be £1, now it’s £3) but they’re now forcing people on home deliveries instructed to spend ten pounds more…’

And another asked if his friend could afford the hike, asking: “Will Jean still be able to afford it when @Tesco minimum spend goes up 25% from £40 to £50?”

Compared to other supermarkets, Tesco will have the highest minimum spend on deliveries.

Sainsbury’s requires a minimum spend of £40 or buyers will be charged a £7 fee.

Meanwhile, Morrisons customers only need to spend a minimum of £25 and there is an additional £3 charge for customers under £40.

Asda shoppers have to spend £40, but if they don’t they’ll only be charged £3.

And Icelandic customers have to spend at least £40, but there’s a £3 fee below that.

Referring to the increase in the delivery fee, a Tesco spokesman said: “To ensure we can continue to serve our online customers as effectively as possible, we are making some changes to our minimum basket threshold from May 2nd, the first change being we almost make eight years.

‘For the vast majority of our customers, the way they shop will not change.’

Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda and Island have been contacted by MailOnline and This is Money for comment on their delivery charges and whether they will follow Tesco.