Tesco has announced it is to replace all ‘ buy one get one free ‘ (BOGOF) offers on perishable goods with ‘buy one get one free – later’ promotions in a bid to reduce food waste.
Under the new scheme, Tesco shoppers will receive a voucher enabling them to pick up their second, free product when it is needed, ensuring it doesn’t go to waste.
The vouchers will only be valid for “short-code life-perishable products” – those with short sell-by dates such as yoghurts, salads, vegetables or cheese .
BOGOF deals were criticised by the Government in August for encouraging customers to purchase products they didn’t need and contributing to soaring levels of food waste.
Speaking at the Sustainable Consumption Institute (SCI) conference in London, Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy said: “As one small, new, step, we will adapt our ‘buy one get one free’ offers in perishable foods to give our customers a new opportunity – ‘buy one and get one free – later’.
“Customers will be able to get that other salad or vegetable or yoghurt when they want it and when it will be used, not all together when it may – in the end – go to waste.”
Sir Leahy added that the new ‘BOGOF – Later’ format was all part of the supermarket giant’s wider goal to become a zero-carbon business by 2050 and increase consumer’s access to clear, low-carbon goods.
