Supermarkets making a multi-packet: buying individual items cost shoppers up to 50% more
- Shoppers can save up to 50% when switching from individual to multi-pack items
- Walkers crisps, Dairy Milk and Coca Cola multi-packs ranked top for best value for money
- Super Noodles cost 13% more when bought in a multi-pack vs individually
With the current climate tightening many people’s purses, VoucherCodes.co.uk have searched far and wide to find the best value multipacks to help both students and families get the most out of their cash. Buying in bulk can save up to 50% on shopping
The research compared the cost of individual items vs multi-pack of branded favourites like cans of Coca Cola, Buxton’s bottled water and Heinz Baked Beans. But it was *drum roll please*…Walkers crisps! Which stole the crown for the best value multipack by a massive 50% difference!
Are you spending 50% more on your shopping not buying in bulk?
Shockingly, Super Noodles are the worst value for money and cost more per 100g when bought in a multi-pack vs individually.
Shoppers are shelling out up to 50% more on single pack items like Dairy Milk chocolate bars, Heinz Baked Beans and Walkers crisps, compared to buying the multipack equivalent, new research reveals.
Survey by VoucherCodes.co.uk identifies best value for multipacks
The UK’s leading savings website, VoucherCodes.co.uk, analysed popular branded individual and multipack items and compared the prices across four of the UK’s biggest supermarkets[1] to identify the best value for money multipacks and those that should be left on the shelf.
| Position | Items | Average cost per 100g/ml for individual items | Average cost per 100g/ml for multi-pack items | % difference |
| 1 | Walkers crisps | £1.74 | £0.88 | -50% |
| 2 | Coca Cola can | £0.22 | £0.12 | -45% |
| 3 | Dairy Milk bar (45g vs 36g) | £1.42 | £0.78 | -45% |
| 4 | Gordons Gin & Tonic can | £0.75 | £0.47 | -38% |
| 5 | Heinz Cream of Tomato soup | £0.23 | £0.16 | -29% |
| 6 | Heinz Baked Beans | £0.20 | £0.15 | -26% |
| 7 | Napolina tinned tomatoes | £0.19 | £0.15 | -23% |
| 8 | Buxton water (1.5l) | £0.04 | £0.03 | -17% |
| 9 | Birra Morreti bottle | £0.32 | £0.35 | 10% |
| 10 | Super Noodles | £0.58 | £0.66 | 13% |
Walker’s crisps multipacks provide the best value
Walker’s crisps multipacks provide shoppers with the best value for money when compared to their individual equivalent. On average, a grab bag costs £0.87p, equating to £1.74 per 100 grams on average. However, picking up a multipack containing six bags costs £1.31 on average or £0.88 per 100 grams – a shocking 50% saving.
Cans of Coca Cola and Dairy Milk chocolate bars follow closely with a potential saving of up to 45% each
Cans of Coca Cola and Dairy Milk chocolate bars follow closely with a potential saving of up to 45% each. It costs £0.72p to pick up a can of Coke when out and about, or £0.22p per 100ml, however, planning ahead and buying a 24-can multipack brings this down to only £0.12p, saving up to 45%. It really does pay off to buy in bulk.
Buying multi-pack super Noodles costs 13% more
At the other end of the spectrum, the research reveals that purchasing Super Noodles in a multi-pack actually costs 13% more. On average an individual pack is £0.58p per 100 grams, however, buying in a pack of four increases this cost to £0.66p.
For beer fans, it also pays off to pick up an individual Birra Moretti at 660ml rather than purchasing a 12 pack of 330ml bottles. Buying in bulk means that per 100ml a multipack costs 10% more than purchasing individual bottles.
The comparison study was carried out as students head to university this September
The study was carried out as students head back to university, many of which will be looking for ways to save on their weekly shop. Additional research commissioned by VoucherCodes.co.uk shows that, although 95% of university students agree buying in bulk saves them money, they still admit to buying individual items. Single bars of chocolate and confectionery are bought most often by students at 1.6 times per week, and with the possibility of saving 45% on Dairy Milk, it seems some could be missing a trick.
When it comes to buying multipacks and in bulk, over one in five students (21%) say they would buy multipack items more often if they had more space available.
A shocking 95,200 students didn’t know you could buy multi-pack items.
Anita Naik, Lifestyle Editor at VoucherCodes.co.uk, commented: “When going around the supermarket it can be easy just to pick up the things you need to cook for that day or for a specific meal, especially if you’re only cooking for a small group. But actually, our research shows that over time there are big savings to be made if you buy bigger pack items to last you a few meals.
“Creating a meal plan and shopping list ahead of visiting the supermarket will help you plan ahead and budget accordingly. When doing your food shop make sure you look out for multipack deals. Check the label to find out the price per 100g and compare multipacks against individual items to give you a better idea of value for money.
“For an easy. Way to save money, visit our supermarket deals for great discounts.”
All prices correct between 28th August & 10th September
| Individual items | Asda | Tesco | Sainsburys | Morrisons | Average individual cost |
| Napolina tinned tomatoes | £0.80 | £0.80 | £1 | £1 | £0.70 |
| Heinz tomato soup | £0.95 | £0.95 | £0.80 | £0.95 | £0.90 |
| Heinz Baked Beans | £0.85 | 0.85 | 0.85 | £0.85 | £0.85 |
| Gordons Gin & Tonic can | £1.80 | £1.80 | £1.95 | £1.95 | £1.85 |
| Coca Cola can | N/A | £0.59 | £0.85 | N/A | £0.72 |
| Super Noodles | £0.50 | £0.60 | £0.50 | £0.50 | £0.53 |
| Walkers grab bag (50g) | £0.89 | £0.85 | N/A | N/A | £0.87 |
| Dairy Milk bar (45g) | £0.60 | £0.60 | £0.70 | £0.65 | £0.63 |
| Birra Morreti (660ml) | £2.20 | £2.00 | £1.90 | £2.25 | £2.03 |
| Buxton (1.5l) | £0.50 | £0.50 | £0.65 | £0.65 | £0.55 |
| Multi-pack items | Asda | Tesco | Sainsburys | Morrisons | Average multipack cost |
| Napolina tinned tomatoes x 4 | £2 | £2 | £2 | £3.50 | £0.59 |
| Heinz tomato soup x 4 | £2.37 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £3.00 | £0.65 |
| Heinz Baked Beans x 4 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £0.63 |
| Gordons Gin & Tonic can x 10 | £13.50 | £13.00 | £10.00 | £10.00 | £1.16 |
| Coca Cola can x 24 | £10.00 | £7.00 | £10.50 | £10.50 | £0.40 |
| Super Noodles x 4 | N/A | £2.75 | £2.00 | N/A | £0.59 |
| Walkers x 6 (25g) | £1.50 | £1.25 | £1.00 | £1.50 | £0.44 |
| Dairy Milk x 4 (36g) | £1.00 | £1.00 | £1.50 | £1.00 | £0.28 |
| Birra Morreti x 12 (330ml) | £14.00 | £14.00 | £14.00 | £13.00 | £1.15 |
| Buxton x 6 (1.5l) | £3.00 | £3.00 | £2.50 | £3.00 | £0.48 |
The research was carried out online by Research Without Barriers. All surveys were conducted between 28th August 2020 and 2nd September 2020. The sample comprised of 1,002 adult university students.
The total number of university students in the UK is 2.38 million. 4% of students answered they didn’t know multi-packs existed. 95,200 is 4% of 2.38 million.