Sainsburys

SHOPPERS are set for a major boost as a supermarket giant launches its first ever Express store in the UK.

It marks the start of a huge national rollout that’ll see up to 20 new stores open before the end of the year.

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The retail titan, Asda, has opened the doors to its brand-new Express in Castleford, West Yorkshire,

It’s the first time Asda has taken its famous yellow and green brand into the world of small-format convenience stores, as it looks to take on Tesco Express and Sainsbury’s Local head-on.

The new shop, built on the site of a former pub on Holywell Lane, has been completely transformed into a slick, modern mini-market packed with more than 3,000 products.

From meal deals and snacks to fresh fruit, booze and ready meals, locals can now grab all their essentials in one quick stop.

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It’s open every day from 6am to 11pm, making it perfect for early risers, night owls, and anyone in desperate need of milk after hours.

The store also comes kitted out with handy extras, including a Costa Coffee machine, ATM, and Amazon collection point, plus, you can get your shopping delivered via Uber Eats, Just Eat or Deliveroo.

Shopping bargains

Asda says the new Express format is designed to bring its trademark low prices and big-brand bargains to places where it’s not always had a strong presence.

New locations will pop up in busy city centres, transport hubs and even residential areas.

It’s all part of the supermarket’s mission to “bring unbeatable value to even more communities” across the UK, according to bosses.

Joseph Sutton, Asda’s Vice President for Express, Foodservice and Fuel, said:

“We’re delighted to have opened the doors today in Castleford, marking the start of our Express store rollout as we bring Asda’s unbeatable value to new communities across the UK.”

He added: “From top-up essentials to convenient food-on-the-go options, we’re excited to welcome new customers and offer outstanding value.”

Rapid growth

Asda first dipped its toe into the convenience market in 2022, and things have moved fast.

The supermarket now plans to have around 500 Express stores open by the end of the year, with even more coming in 2026.

Each store will also feature electronic shelf-edge labels (a fancy way of saying digital price tags), designed to make life easier for staff and keep prices crystal clear for shoppers.

So whether you’re nipping in for bread and milk or a cheeky lunchtime sandwich, chances are you’ll soon be doing it in an Asda Express near you.

More on Asda

It come’s after Asda announced its price reductions, cutting the cost of nearly 1,000 everyday products.

The reductions will be available both in-store and online and will include massive discounts on cupboard staples such as pasta, cooking sauces and tea and coffee.

Meanwhile, Asda is following three other major supermarkets in introducing a big change to aisles across 186 stores from October.

The supermarket chain has introduced dedicated menopause aisles as has online grocery store Ocado.

This roll-out hopes to “raise awareness and understanding of the menopause experience,” said Matt Pryde, Senior Buying Manager for Asda Toiletries.

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MORRISONS is to introduce a big change to its stores to make sure shelves are stocked faster by floor staff.

The supermarket giant is rolling out a tracking app for store managers so they can see how quickly staff are unloading food onto shelves.

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It said the new system, which was first reported by the Telegraph, would allow them to identify when employees may need additional training.

It comes as Morrisons tries to win back shoppers from rivals, as it is set to be overtaken by Lidl as Britain’s fifth biggest supermarket.

The latest data shows that the discount retailer makes up 8.3% of the grocery market share against Morrisons’ 8.4%, according to Worldpanel.

This is compared to Morrisons‘ 8.6% a year earlier, and 9.4% in 2022.

The supermarket said it had been tracking how quickly staff were working for some time now to make sure the right number of workers were on the shop floor.

But the new app will “help teams understand their own performance” and allow employees’ work to be monitored by store managers, rather than the company’s head office.

A Morrisons spokesperson said: “Along with a lot of our sector, we have used ‘time and motion’ data for some time now to help us allocate hours to a store and ensure we have fair, consistent and standardised ways of working.

“To support this, we have created an app to help teams understand their own performance.

“This will allow us to be fair and consistent in recognising colleagues, whilst also identifying opportunities to coach our colleagues and understand where additional support and training may be required.”

Earlier this year, in a move to improve customer service in stores, Morrisons changed its rules for staff so that only certain workers would be allowed to enter stockrooms.

The retailer said it wanted to ensure it had “the right colleagues in the right place to deliver the best service to customers at all times”.

What else is happening at Morrisons?

Last year, Morrisons slashed over 3,600 jobs and closed 17 stores as part of a major shake-up to its operations.

The supermarket’s workforce dropped from 104,819 to 101,144 in the year leading up to October 27, 2024.

Thousands of jobs were axed across Morrisons’ stores, head office, as well as its manufacturing and distribution operations.

The latest job losses come after the Morrisons shut 17 of its stores around the UK earlier this year, with the final store in Haxby, North Yorkshire, closing on May 14.

The 16 other stores were all axed in April.

As part of a cost-cutting overhaul, the grocer also shut more than 50 of its in-store cafés, 35 meat and fish counters, and 18 Market Kitchen food courts earlier this year.

It cited the need to cut costs amid rising financial pressure.

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SWEET-TOOTHED fans can now get their hands on a new Penguin selection box.

McVitie’s has revealed its first ever Penguin Selection Box as part of its festive lineup of products.

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The box (RRP £3) includes six Penguin treats across a variety of flavours.

There are two original Penguin milk chocolate biscuit bars, one Penguin Mint, one Penguin Orange, in addition to two bags of mini biscuits.

The biscuit bags are in the Cocoa and Cocoa & Orange flavours.

McVitie’s says that the box “comes in bright seasonal packaging featuring the iconic Penguin jokes, along with a maze and word search on the back.”

While savvy shoppers have spotted the box on Asda shelves, it has yet to be listed online.

The new product does feature on the Tesco website, where it is currently marked as “out of stock”.

Other festive finds

McVitie’s festive range also includes the Chocolate Digestives Anniversary Tin, celebrating 100 years since the inception of these beloved biscuits.

The 340g tin contains milk, dark chocolate and white digestives.

You can find this exclusively in Sainsbury’s for £7.50.

This winter you can also try the Flipz Gingerbread Flavour Coated Pretzels Share Bag (RRP £2).

And McVitie’s are adding a seasonal spin to a much-loved favourite, giving their White Digestives a festive makeover with playful snowflakes and snowmen packaging.

McVitie’s isn’t the only brand to have revealed new festive products.

The M&S Christmas range for 2025 includes new products such as the Original Peanut Butter & Jelly Munch, as well as a Peanut Butter & Jelly Spread.

The iconic Munch tins first launched in 2021, but this year’s version has been given an American twist, with the treats now available as a peanut butter and jelly flavour.

Last year, the M&S Very Merry Munch tin was advertised as “perfect for movie nights”, with fans calling it “heaven”.

Marmite fans may also like to try the Pecan & Salted Caramel Blondies with a hint of marmite, as well as the new M&S marmite caramel sauce.

Mars have also revealed new Christmas chocolate treats, including a Milky Way Advent Calendar released for the first time and sold exclusively in Asda.

If you’re a Tesco shopper, you’ll be able to get hold of the new Galaxy Miniatures Pouch.

Shoppers were quick to spot the new pouches on the supermarket shelves, with some taking to the Snack Reviews Facebook group to comment: “This bag is perfect,” said one user.

“I need some of these,” added another.

The 260g pouches contain a mix of individually wrapped Galaxy chocolates in the original Smooth Milk and Caramel flavours.

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AS the winter months draw near, a new flavour of a popular treat is set to hit shelves.

McVitie’s, Penguin and Flipz have unveiled a new festive range to get people in a Christmas mood.

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With Christmas now firmly on the horizon, many people across the country will be looking for snacks to get them in the spirit.

Some people will no doubt go straight for old favourites like mince pies and pigs in blankets.

But this unconventional bag could be just what the doctor ordered.

The Flipz Gingerbread Flavour Coated Pretzel Share Bag offers a festive treat of a different variety.

A spokesperson said: “Bring festive flavour to your snacking with Flipz Gingerbread Flavour Coated Pretzels Share Bag.

“These special festive treats feature crunchy, sweet-and-salty pretzels coated in a smooth gingerbread flavoured layer, finished with a creamy drizzle, creating the perfect balance of sweetness and salty crunch.

“Packed in a larger 150g sharing pouch, this is the ultimate snack for winter movie nights with friends or to self-indulge.”

The bags are exclusive to Salisbury’s stores.

But it’s not the only treat to offer a Christmas-y flavour as the darker months await.

Those craving more gingerbread can enjoy the McVitie’s Gingerbread Flavour Milk Chocolate Digestives.

Retailing for £2.25, these biscuits offer an old classic with a twist.

As spokesperson said: “Bring a festive twist to your celebrations with Gingerbread Flavour Milk Chocolate Digestives.

“Returning as a limited-edition treat for 2025, the rich, warming taste of gingerbread paired with creamy milk chocolate gives a new take on the nation’s favourite biscuit.

“If you did not manage to get your hands on this festive edition run from last year, you have been granted a second chance!”

Emma Johnson, Sweet Seasonal Brand Manager for McVitie’s, said: “The festive season is such a wonderful time, and McVitie’s is honoured to play a part in the nation’s celebrations each year.

“Whether you’re spending quality time with loved ones, looking to get-together with friends, or hunting down stocking fillers for the big day, our McVitie’s range promises something special
for every moment.”

A 20-YEAR-OLD mother has revealed how she really spends her Universal Credit payments. 

Skye Byrne, a young mum from the UK, claimed that not only has she treated herself to a holiday, but she even splashed the cash in Sainsbury’s on a huge homeware haul.

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And as well as stocking up her daughter’s wardrobe, she also indulged with a McDonald’s takeaway.

Posting on social media, the content creator who lives in a council house, revealed a typical day in her life. 

She said: “What I spend in a day, UC Benefit Britain Edition.”

Skye kicked off her morning with a Universal Credit appointment and was quick to clap at trolls who have criticised her for booking a trip abroad.

She said: “For everyone that said, ‘you shouldn’t be going on holiday when you’re on UC,’ well, I told my work coach and she cried, she actually cried because she knows how much I’ve been wanting so badly to take my daughter on a holiday and she was so happy and thrilled for us, so, yeah, suck on that, everyone.”

Following this, Skye then headed to her local supermarket and stocked up on homeware buys and clothes for her daughter.

She added: “I went into Sainsbury’s and picked up these little bits and bobs for the house – I got three pillows and a blanket.”

As well as this, Skye also nabbed some tea towels and place mats, bringing her interior purchases to a total cost of £48.

However, Skye then picked up two pairs of £3.50 leggings and a pair of £7 jeggings for her child.

Following this, she also nabbed a pair of beige trousers and a PAW Patrol bottle, but was lost for words when she went to the till and saw the total cost of her haul.

The benefits recipient shared: “Honestly, I almost had a heart attack when I saw the price – this all came to £88, I was stunned.”

But the money spending clearly didn’t stop there, as Skye ended her day with a takeaway.

So glad my taxes are being spent wisely

TikTok user

Although Skye didn’t splurge masses on her fast food as it cost her just £2.99. 

“Then went into Maccas cause I was quite hungry, so I picked up a triple cheeseburger,” she concluded.

Social media users react

Skye’s TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @skyebyrnex, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 32,100 views. 

But social media users were fuming by how Skye spent her money and many raced to the comments to express this. 

One person said: “So glad my taxes are being spent wisely.” 

I am allowed a nice home for my daughter to live in. I’m also allowed to take my daughter on holidays and enjoy her childhood

Skye Byrne

Another added: “How can you afford to shop in Sainsbury’s on UC? I’m lucky if I can afford Primark nowadays.” 

A third commented: “Workshy and diet shy.”

To this, Skye responded and alongside a kiss emoji, cheekily wrote: “Don’t be jelly.” 

At the same time, one user questioned: “Isn’t UC designed to help you survive when you aren’t working? Not for pillows? And apparently a holiday.” 

In response, Skye shared: “1. I am allowed a nice home for my daughter to live in. 2. I’m also allowed to take my daughter on holidays and enjoy her childhood.” 

Meanwhile, someone else asked: “How on earth do you afford to go on holiday?”

Setting the record straight, Skye wrote back and confirmed: “I save. I make sure I can do these things for my daughter.” 

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BISCUIT fans, rejoice – the Tim Tam Sweet & Salty is back for good after sparking a shopping frenzy across the UK.

The Aussie choccie treat hit Tesco shelves in July as a limited edition and vanished almost instantly, with desperate snackers even hunting them down on eBay.

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The biscuit was first created as a tongue-in-cheek April Fool’s joke online – but demand went wild, forcing makers to put it into production.

Brits flooded comment sections with comments in fear the treat would not make a return to UK shelves. 

One shopper said: “My local Tesco store is no longer stocking this!”

Another added: “I’ve not been able to find a single packet in my store!” 

Now, Tim Tam bosses say it’s here to stay.

From October 3, shoppers can grab the cult treat in Tesco stores nationwide.

Talyah Falabella, Tim Tam’s international marketing manager, said: “The response to Tim Tam Sweet & Salty in the UK has been nothing short of incredible. 

“What was meant to be a limited-edition treat quickly became one of our most talked-about biscuits, with fans desperate to find it in stores.”

Tim Tams have long been Australia’s best-loved biccy – a crunchy biscuit with smooth cream filling, all covered in chocolate. Now Brits are well and truly hooked.

So, if you missed out the first time round, no need to raid eBay – just head to Tesco and bag yourself a packet of the viral biccy Brits can’t get enough of.

It comes after the release of the new white chocolate flavour earlier this month which left shoppers delighted. 

 Sainsbury’s supermarket was the first UK store to stock the white chocolate version of the snack.

One shopper said: “Need the white chocolate ones.”

While another eager customer said: “Sainsbury’s are now selling white chocolate timtams, my lil Aussie backpacker heart is so happy.”

And a third shopper simply said the treat looks “yummy”.

The tasty treat comes in many flavours, including chocolate and caramel.

Shoppers can also try out a range of other flavours too, including milk chocolate and extra chocolatey.

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IT was the Autumn equinox on Monday – which means the days are about to get a lot shorter.

Before you know it, it will be dark when you get home from work and when you get up in the morning.

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And although that means less gardening time – there’s still loads you can get in the ground or your greenhouse.

In fact, Autumn is a great time to get planting – simply because the soil is still warm but the weather is cooler – which means roots can establish well before Winter.

Whether it’s for produce or colour before Christmas – or flowers after – I’ve put together a guide on what can go in the ground now.

FLOWERS

You can always tell from what’s on sale in your local garden centre or supermarket as to what will bring you colour in the run up before Christmas.

But staples like container grown Geums, Cyclamen, Astor, Japanese Anenome, and Chrysanthemums can be bought in flower and planted now.

Plus racks of bedding plants like pansies, viola and primroses are filling supermarket shelves.

I managed to find three packs of eight viola plugs from Asda for just a fiver last weekend – which means each of the 24 plugs are only 20p.

Plus the gorgeous colour combinations will fill your garden with rainbows of colour.

And a lot of the garden centres are offering Winter Bedding packs – which takes the decision of what to buy out of your hands – and provides you with a lovely rainbow of colours for your outside space.=

Seeds-wise – you can plant sweetpea, poppies, calendula, cornflower, nemesia, forget-me-nots, and lavender under cover.

BULBS

Daffodils, crocus, alliums and grape hyacinth bulbs are good to go in September and October – as well as the more unusual large Fritalliaries  and Camassia – which look really like bluebells.

But hold fire until November until you plant your tulip bulbs – they love the colder weather.

If you put them in too early, you’ll risk the change of Tulip Fire, which is a fungal disease that causes distorted leaves and spots – that look like scorch marks – on the tulips themselves.

A lot of online garden centres have big bulb sales on at the moment, so it’s worth shopping around.

Suttons Seeds are offering Sun Gardening readers an exclusive link to get 80 per cent off their bulb sales right now.

Access it now at www.suttons.co.uk/sunoffer

VEGETABLES AND FRUIT

Butterhead and Lamb’s lettuce actually like the colder weather – so under a cloche or cold frame, or in a greenhouse – sow the seeds thinly, about 1.5cm deep. Sow every 2-3 weeks for a continuous supply.

Overwintering cauliflower seeds like ‘All The Year Round’ and ‘Autumn Giant’ can be planted now – under protection.

Plus onion seeds, winter greens, garlic, pak choi, spinach and kale.

There’s a lot of fruit you can grow in pots – including cherries, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries.

Then wait until November for bare root season

Also in Veronica’s Column this week…

Gardening news, top tips, Plant of the Week plus a chance to win a £200 Gardening Express voucher.

Fore more gardening content and competitions follow me @biros_and_bloom

NEWS! Did you know that 22 billion carrot seeds are sown each year in the UK, and we eat our way through 700,000 tonnes of carrots annually?
This works out to be around 100 per person, and laid out end to end they would stretch 1.4 million miles – two and a half trips to the moon.  
And as British growers provide 97 per cent of the carrots consumers buy in the UK, there is almost no need to buy imported carrots.
They’re also worth £290m to the UK Economy yet are one of the cheapest vegetables – with loads of nutritional benefits.  
The incredible stats have been released in time for British Carrot Day on Friday – which celebrates the UK carrot growing and encourages people to buy, get creative, eat, and cook with carrots.
For more information visit www.britishcarrots.co.uk 

NEWS! A whopping leaf four metres long has been grown at the Eden Project, Cornwall. Lodoicea maldivica, more commonly known as coco de mer, is native to the islands of the Seychelles and is famous for producing the world’s largest and heaviest seed.
The mature leaf has taken around ten years to develop to this stage. And over the next decade, it could reach a massive eight to ten metres. A coco de mer can live for up to 800 years, reaching up to 112 feet tall.

TOP TIP! September is the start of baby hedgehog (hoglet) season, and you may find that they need your help.
Autumn Juvenile hedgehogs are old enough to be away from their mums, but often too small to hibernate successfully.
Guidance from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society  says that “if the hedgehog is a regular visitor to your garden, is only seen at night, appears active and you are prepared to feed it every night then it can be left in the wild.
But  if the hedgehog goes off its food, wobbles and staggers or starts coming out in the day, then it needs extra help as soon as possible.
The best way to ensure wild hedgehogs are well-fed is to create organic wild spaces, leafy corners and log piles where they can forage for natural foods, like grubs and insects.
To supplement their diet in the wild, you can offer hedgehogs a good quality meaty hedgehog food, meaty cat or dog food or dry biscuits for cats.

NEWS! If you fancy turning your hand to growing houseplants, Unwins have launched a brand new Houseplant Seed Collection, a curated range of eight varieties that have been specially selected and bred to flourish in UK and Irish homes.
Including Asparagus Ferns, Sempervivum, Bird of Paradise and Dichondra Silver Surfer, the packs are available now in your local garden centre.
Natasha Lane, Head of Seed, for Unwins, commented: “We’re very excited to be launching a collection of houseplant seeds for the first time. It now means that it’s easier than ever to create your very own indoor jungle. Whether you’re looking to enhance wellbeing, purify the air, or simply add style to your space, our houseplant seeds are ready to grow with you.”

WIN! One lucky reader can win a £200 Gardening Express voucher to spend online. To enter, visit www.thesun.co.uk/EXPRESSVOUCHER or write to Sun Gardening Express competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm. October 11, 2025. T&Cs apply

PLANT OF THE WEEK! Japanese Anemone. Blooming now, they’re graceful and tall with long stalks and single or double flowers – great for brightening up shady corners, but prefer a bit of sun. Spread by rhizomes.

JOB OF THE WEEK! If you’ve got a pond it’s time to get it ready for winter – net it before leaves start to fall and trim back any overgrown pond plants. Put a tennis ball in to help prevent freezing.

FASHION lovers are raving about a supermarket coat in the style of the season that’s perfect for autumn.

Now that the weather has gotten colder, and the nights are drawing in, you may have started layering up when out and about.

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And some stunning pieces have popped up at Sainsbury’s in-store and online.

Tu Clothing is the supermarket‘s in-house fashion label and regularly delights fashion fans with its stylish buys at bargain prices.

The Navy Check Short Scarf Coat, in particular, has been catching the eye of savvy fashionistas.

The scarf-coat combo is one of the biggest outerwear trends on the catwalks for AW25.

The chic, stylish update on a wardrobe staple means that you no longer have to faff around adding an extra accessory to your look – your coat already has a matching scarf attached.

And the scarf is detachable so you can decide if you want to have it as part of your outfit or not. 

The stylish Sainsbury’s version is priced at £55 and comes in sizes XS to XL.

Describing it on the website, supermarket bosses say: “A timeless piece for colder weather, our navy short coat comes in a check design with button fastening and front pockets.

“Crafted with a touch of wool for extra warmth. Includes a matching scarf for an effortlessly stylish look this season.”

It’s already been hailed as one of the supermarket’s bestsellers for autumn and has racked up rave reviews online too.

One delighted shopper gushed: “A really cosy coat, love the detachable scarf.

“I ordered a size smaller, I’m glad I did as it is really roomy. I love the material and colour.”

“Very happy with this jacket, loose fit so lots of room for sweaters below”, added a second.

A third wrote: “Really delighted by the jacket. Looks classy on and the scarf (which can be detached) is an added bonus.

“Will make a lovely warm jacket going into autumn/winter. I did go down 2 sizes to get the fit and look I wanted.”

A fourth said: “This coat is so soft. Very pleased, the colours are gorgeous and it’s very stylish.”

A fifth chimed in: “Love this coat. It’s cosy and very smart and fashionable.

“Lovely to have a warm detachable scarf as well. Very well made too.

“Just love it. Can’t wait for it to be cold enough to wear it. Well done Tu.”

Meanwhile, a sixth echoed: “I really like this coat, it feels very soft and looks very smart.

“It is quite large but I believe that is the cocoon style. I love the colours and the matching scarf. It is also a very good price.”

ICELAND has revealed this year’s Christmas range including a Baileys yule log and TGI Fridays pigs in blankets.

While the big day is some time away, it’s always good to prepare yourself for the festive season.

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Luckily, Iceland’s new Christmas menu will hit shelves from November 6 and offers everything you need to throw a festive bash.

The items will also be available to buy at Iceland’s The Food Warehouse.

Paul Dhaliwal, Chief Commercial Officer at Iceland Foods, said: “Our customers expect variety and flavour without breaking the bank, and this year we’ve delivered just that. We’ve perfected the festive staples and added new twists that will impress and bring joy to every bite. 

“From classic centrepieces and irresistible desserts to brand-new creations and party essentials, there’s something to suit every kind of Christmas celebration, no matter your style or budget.”  

What’s on the menu?

Iceland‘s menu this year offers customers everything they’ll need for Christmas lunch or dinner from beloved Christmas classics to some new additions.

This includes everything from their Sweet Chilli Sticky Prawns and Pizza Chicken Wedges to TGI Fridays Cheeseburger & Chip baskets.

Shoppers will be able to sink their teeth into a range of Christmas meats, pigs and blankets and all the trimmings on top.

And if you are thinking of throwing a festive bash this year, customers can take advantage of their mix-and-match deals on select products like three items for £10.

Or shoppers can stock up with their £1 party range and luxury platters.

But among the showstoppers of this year’s Christmas range is the Luxury Perfect Turkey Crown.

For £28, you can get your hands on 2.2kg of frozen boneless skin on turkey crown with added water topped with sunflower oil and herb and spice marinade.

We also have a feeling that many will be eyeing up the Bailey’s Iced Yule Log for £12.

It features mouthwatering Baileys salted caramel mousse, a dark chocolate sauce and chocolate flavoured meringue.

And you can nab their Luxury Prawn and Prosecco Shells for as little as £5.

The king prawns come in a creamy Prosecco sauce topped with mashed potato, a parsley breadcrumb and cheese, served in a natural shell.

Other festive finds

Iceland aren’t the only retailer to have revealed their Christmas food range recently either.

M&S have revealed all the festive treats that you can get through from its Christmas Food to Order range from today.

The posh supermarket is famous for its delicious Christmas food, which you’ll be able to pre-order to your home ahead of the big day.

In fact, major supermarkets have just revealed the exact dates you can book Christmas delivery slots, including Asda.

We tried the M&S Christmas collection too including their iconic American must-have and Marmite caramel sauce.

We also recently tried Morrisons new Christmas range and one festive treat was an instant winner, knocking M&S and Waitrose out the park.

Morrisons festive nosh is expected to land in its 497 stores over the coming weeks.

And if you’re after your classic chocolate tubs, we’ve calculated the cheapest supermarket to grab all your favourites this week.

TESCO has launched a range of “restaurant quality” ready-made meals across 160 of its stores around the country.

There are 12 different dishes included in the collection, for a different meal to be had each day of the week.

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The brand new Finest Chef’s Collection range has been designed by Tesco’s in-house chefs.

It includes slow-cooked meals ranging from Italian to Indian cuisine, as well as classic British flavours.

Prices range from £17.50 to £20 per dish.

Among the British-inspired dishes include a Blush Double Pork Chop a Tender Lamb Rump, Balsamic and Rosemary Lamb Shoulder, Succulent Pork Belly, and an Oak Smoked Chicken Crown.

Indian flavours in the collection include Tandoori Spiced Chicken Supremes, Masala Spcied Beef Cheeks, and Spice Lamb Shanks.

The chicken and beef have masala spice blends in the sauce, while the lamb shanks are served with green tikka sauce.

For the Italian inspired dishes, there is a Blush Shoulder of Pork, Stuffed Beef Featherblad with a Procini and Parmigiano Regiiano stuffing, Nduja Stuffed Porchetta, and Rosemary and Porcini Pork Shoulder.

Breige Donaghy, Director of Product Development and Innovation Tesco, said: “We know life’s busy, but that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on amazing food at home.

“That’s why our chefs have created the Chef’s Collection – a range of dishes inspired by restaurant menus and packed with clever techniques that make it super easy to cook something special.

“With top-quality ingredients, and most of the prep already done, these dishes make it easy to create special food moments and transform a meal at home into something truly memorable.”

It comes after research found almost 30 per cent of Brits, and around 60 per cent of adults, have tried to pass of supermarket-cooked meals as their own.

More people have also been found to be going out less to restaurants to eat compared to last year, often due to costs.

Executive Chief at Tesco, Jamie Robinson, added: “We’ve worked hard to bring authentic flavours from across the globe to customers’ kitchens without the stress of cooking from scratch.

“Most dishes have been gently slow cooked, and come with our top cooking, pairing and plating tips to help you deliver great results every time.”

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Each meal is designed as a main for two people, therefore costing £10 each.

The Finest Chef’s Collection range is launching at larger Tesco stores, and offers a 25 per cent discount of Clubcard customers until October 12.

Dishes come with step-by-step cooking instructions and a QR code that can be scanned to provide cooking, plating and pairing tips from Tesco chefs.

It comes after Tesco was mocked for launching a strange meal deal shoppers spotted in stores.

As a £9 Clubcard offer, Tesco launched a meal deal consisting of a 12-packl of Sol beers and a bag of five limes.

Many shoppers also threatened to boycott Tesco last month after it was seen increasing the price of its meal deal by 25p.

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SAINSBURY’S has launched its “biggest ever” giveaway with up to £7,500 worth of Nectar points up for grabs.

This equates to a huge two million Nectar points being given away for a shop.

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The supermarket giant has teamed up with frozen foods brand Birds Eye to deliver the prizes, as well as special prices of products.

From now until October 7, shoppers can scan their Nectar card or app to enter the prize draw if they pick yup any Birds Eye product at a Sainsbury’s.

One winner will receive one million Nectar points, which are worth at least £5,000.

And two winners will get 500,000 points each, worth at least £2,500.

There are also some family dinner classics from Birds Eye that have been put on special Nectar prices.

Chicken Dippers can now be picked up for £2.50, and Fish Fingers for just £1.50.

This is possibly most Nectar points ever seen in the frozen aisle, making it a perfect time to stock up the freezer for the autumn.

Shoppers who scan any Birds Eye product with their Nectar card at Sainsbury’s will automatically be entered into the prize draw.

And every transaction counts for entries.

Winners will be draw at random and contacted within 28 days of the closing date.

Sainsbury’s has also recently been seen slashing the prices on dozens of its chocolates as part of an “amazing” offer.

Several Cadbury’s chocolates in the supermarket were slashed to under £1, with Twirl bites reaching just 97p.

The sale is lasting until Sunday, September 21 and is only being offered to Nectar card holders.

Sainsbury’s recently made a huge change to its Nectar loyalty schemes earlier in the year.

It made personalised ‘Your Nectar Prices‘ available for shoppers for the first time in July.

The scheme has allowed customers to earn points when they shop, which can be turned into money off vouchers.

Previously, the discounts were only available for online orders or through the Smart Shop app or handset in-store.

Now shoppers can enjoy these discounts at the tills by simply scanning their Nectar card.

Discounts are known to refresh every Friday, giving customers regular opportunities to save on essentials and discover new favourites.

IF you’re already planning ahead for the festive season, you can nab a huge saving on Christmas chocolate right now.

A bargain UK supermarket is selling 25p Cadbury’s selection boxes for £2.50 cheaper than a rival store.

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The bargain comes after news that struggling Poundland is going back to basics, with plans to increase the number of products sold in store for just a quid.

The Cadbury’s 25p selection box weighs in at 125g and includes a selection of favourite treats.

This includes Cadbury’s Dairy Milk Freddo Caramel, Fudge, Crunchie,, Dairy Milk Little Bar, Treatsize Buttons and a Wispa.

An identical selection box is on sale at Iceland‘s for £2,50.

But you will have to pop into your local Poundland to pick up the bargain as Poundland‘s website is now for browsing only.

A statement on the site reads: “We’re currently working very hard behind the scenes to simplify and refocus our stores.

“And that means very soon there’ll be even more ranges at £1 and new items to choose from each week.

“Unfortunately, we will no longer be providing an online delivery service from the 16th September 2025.

“While we know most of our online shoppers also visit us regularly in stores (thank you!), we know this will be disappointing to all who’ve been using our online ordering service.”

Cheapest UK supermarket to buy Christmas chocolate tubs

Whether you’re indulging in the festive treats ahead of time or you’re stocking up for your friends, family, and co-workers, this deal offers impressive savings.

The offer comes after Morrisons slashed the price of a variety of chocolate tubs from £7 to just £4.50.

Now, Tesco is giving shoppers a chance match this price, with some tubs reduced right now.

Clubcard holders can avail of significant savings with tubs of Cadbury’s Heroes and Roses reduced to just £5.25.

Nestle Celebrations and Quality Street are also available for just £4.50.

Sainsbury’s slashes the price of Cadbury favourites starting today

Supermarkets often watch each other’s sales and try to price match especially in the lead up to Christmas.

And Sainsbury’s is slashing the price of Cadbury favourites for five days only starting today.

The promotion will take the price of Heroes and Roses tubs down from £7 to £4.50 – perfect for anyone looking to stock up ahead of the festive season.

A large box of Milk Tray will see its cost halve from £11 to £5.50

And pouches including Cadbury giant buttons, crunchie rocks, oreo bites, twirl bites, will fall from £1.95 to 97p.

Large 90g bars of Cadbury Dairy Milk will drop from £2.20 to £1.50.

The discounted prices take effect from Wednesday September 17 and will last until Sunday September 21.

However, they are only available to Nectar account holders, so you’ll need to sign up for the loyalty scheme if you are not already a member.

A MAJOR supermarket is selling McVitie’s biscuit boxes for just £2.50 ahead of this Christmas season.

The 400g boxes include a selection of family favourites to get in the festive spirit.

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McVitie’s Family Circle Biscuit Selection boxes are available cheapest at Iceland for just £2.50.

What is included

There are ten different biscuits to choose from in this selection box, including the iconic Milk Chocolate Digestives, popular Custard Creams, and much-loved Rich Highland Shorties.

Also included in the boxes are McVitie’s Choc Chip Cookies, Shortcake, Jam Sandwich Creams, Milk Chocolate Fingers, Crunchy Oat, Nice, and Bourbon Creams.

Shoppers’ reactions

Iceland customers have raved about the product in reviews.

One wrote: “These biscuits have always been Christmas specials.

“There is a good selection of biscuits included.

“And they are great tasting …love them for a treat with a cup of tea or coffee.”

Another added: “Includes chocolate ones and most usual ones.”

“Not really any new ones.”

Both gave the biscuit selection an overall rating of four stars.

Sainsbury’s and Occado are also seen selling the McVitie’s boxes, but for £4.

And Morrisons has them on sale for £3.

More Christmas boxes

Quality Street chocolates and celebrations are also popular Christmas boxes that have been seen going for cheap recently.

At Morrisons, tubs were seen going for just £4.50 from the discount retailer.

And Lidl and Aldi are also known for providing the best deals of groceries, another major UK retailer was found to have the cheapest rate on chocolate boxes.

This week, Tesco took the crown for best overral rates on Christmas chocolate.

Tesco Clubcard holders are able to pick up Nestle Celebrations and Quality Street for £4.50, while Cadbury’s Heroes and Roses have been reduced to £5.25.

A POPULAR UK supermarket has recalled two of its products over fears they could cause an E.coli outbreak.

Customers have been warned not to eat either of the products after it was discovered they may contain Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC).

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Fears have been sparked that the contaminated products could spark an outbreak of the potentially deadly disease.

Customers could suffer serious symptoms including diarrhoea, abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea if they consume the product.

The Shiga toxin-producing E.coli could also cause haemolytic uremic syndrome – a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure and can be fatal.

Anyone who has purchased JS Classic Houmous and JS Lemon & Coriander Houmous is being warned not to eat them.

Customers who have bought the contaminated products are asked to return them to the point of sale urgently.

Full refunds will be handed out to customers who bring back the potentially harmful humus.

Sainsbury’s is putting up in store notices to explain the recall to customers.

A notice issued by the The Food Standards Agency reads: “Sainsbury’s has taken the precautionary step of recalling JS Classic Houmous and JS Lemon & Coriander Houmous because these products may contain Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC).

“If you have bought any of the above products do not eat them. Instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund.”

SHOPPERS are raving about a unique “soup in a bottle” which is now available in four new flavours at Tesco for just £2.

The microwavable bottles, which are ideal for on the go meals, have landed on the major supermarket’s shelves – and cost an absolute bargain.

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Made from natural ingredients with no additives, Re:Nourish’s new flavours of heat-and-sip bottles are bound to make your mouth water.

The brand is releasing Classic Roast Chicken, Chicken & Vegetable, Pea, Leek & Watercress, and Roasted Carrot & Ginger.

These brand new flavours are now available on shelves as part of the brand’s nationwide launch into Tesco.

Nourish said their new soups are designed to “fuel, comfort, and nourish on the go”.

Founder and CEO of Re:Nourish Nicci Clark said: “We started Re:Nourish to make fresh soup exciting again – functional, portable, and genuinely good for you.

“Launching into Tesco with four brand new flavours is an incredible milestone.

“It means more people can grab our bottles on the go and nourish themselves anytime, anywhere.”

Re:Nourish soups are gluten-free with no additives, preservatives or added sugar.

They come in fully recyclable bottles that can go straight in the microwave – and you can sip straight from the pack.

The brand was set up by former nurse turned entrepreneur Nicci Clark.

The company is now the UK’s fastest-growing fresh soup brand, sold in supermarkets nationwide.

Re:Nourish says it wants to make soup healthy, handy and fashionable again.

The brand’s products are currently available at Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado, Wholefoods, Amazon Fresh and Planet Organic.

They said: “Launching in 789 Tesco stores earlier this week was a huge win for us!”

The bottled soup items will also be hitting shelves in Morrisons later this month, as well as further Sainsbury’s stores across the country.

The brand’s soups are typically priced at £3 a bottle, which is dependent on each shop.

However, for the month of September, Tesco shoppers can get Re:Nourish soups for just £2 as long as they have a Tesco Clubcard.

In the last few weeks, their products have also been available for £2.50 with a Nectar card in Sainsbury’s.

The brand say they are “absolutely one of a kind” with their microwavable bottle.

The soup-maker says: “All you have to do is loosen the cap, stick it in the microwave for 3.5 minutes, and enjoy!

“The bottle helps keep your soup warmer for longer, and it’s fully recyclable and made using BPA-free plastic.”

The products are aimed at people who have little time to cook for themselves, but also want to stay health-conscious.

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PRET A Manger is set to launch meal deals in a bid to take on major supermarkets, which have been offering them for years.

The high street sandwich chain’s move comes after Tesco and Sainsbury’s hiked their prices on lunchtime meal deals.

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Pret plans to trial the meal deal format in the final three months of the year.

Boss Pano Christou said the chain’s focus is on “offering great value for money” as part of its medium-term strategy to grow and return to sustainable profits.

Details on pricing and locations for the trial have yet to be revealed.

While major supermarkets have long offered meal deals – typically including a sandwich, snack and drink – Tesco recently hiked its price by 25p, blaming ongoing food inflation.

Pret’s latest accounts showed a pre-tax loss of £525.2 million for the year to January 2 – largely due to a £552.9 million write-down after a reassessment by owner JAB, which bought the chain in 2018.

This followed a £61.7 million loss the year before.

Despite the losses, Pret said its earnings before adjustments rose 36 per cent to £98 million for the year.

Meanwhile, total revenue dipped 4.2 per cent to £868.4 million compared to the previous year.

Like-for-like sales grew by 2.8 per cent, helped by an 11 per cent expansion to 717 shops as the business continued to grow internationally.

Pret said it is keen to expand further in the US, especially around city centres and travel hubs.

Christou, Pret’s CEO, said: “2024 was another year of growth for Pret, where we took disciplined decisions to protect sales, despite intense strains on the hospitality industry.

“Going forward our priority will be to drive transactions and sustainable growth by offering great value for money for Pret customers.

“Our focus will be on growing Pret’s market share in the UK and internationally, prioritising city centres and travel hubs, backed by the experience and expertise of additional world-class board members and a strengthened management team.”

Pret opened its first shop in London in 1986 and now employs 12,500 staff across over 700 locations in 21 countries.

Christou, who has been the chain’s CEO since 2019, started out as an assistant manager at a central London branch aged 22.

The minicab driver’s son, now 45, grew up in Tooting, South London – and earns over £400,000 a year.

The Luxembourg-based firm JAB Holding – which also owns Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Keurig Dr Pepper – bought Pret for £1.5 billion in 2018.

But the pandemic hit hard, with the chain posting a £343 million loss in 2020 as its key customers – office workers and commuters – stayed home.

To win them back, Pret launched cut-priced food and coffee subscription services, which helped sales jump 20 per cent in 2023.

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CELEBRATIONS have made a huge change to tubs ahead of Christmas – and customers will not be happy.

Chocolate maker Mars has once again slashed the size of its iconic red tub from 550g to 500g – equal to a reduction of around five sweets.

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The festive staple is being rolled out of supermarkets ahead of the big day.

Asda is selling the shrunken chocolates for £5.64, with Morrisons and Sainsbury’s charging £7.

The UK’s biggest supermarket is still selling off the larger 550g tubs for £7 or £4.50 on Clubcard price.

It marks the second year in a row the confectionery giant has slimmed down the festive treat.

Last Christmas, the tubs featuring miniature pieces of Twix, Milkyway and Bounty, were reduced in size from 600g to 550g.

The Sun has approached Mars for comment.

At the time, Mars blamed the rising costs of raw materials and operations.

Global cocoa prices are still under pressure due to poor harvests caused by adverse weather in West Africa.

The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) reported a 43% jump in cocoa prices since 2022.

And Mars is not the only chocolate maker which is slimming down its chocolate tubs.

Quality Street maker Nestle has slashed the size of the purple tubs from 600g to 550g.

The new purple tubs have approximately 57 chocolates – down from 63.

A Nestlé spokesperson cited the cost of manufacturing, “ingredients and transport” for the cut.

Deal expert Tom Church previously told The Sun that the best way to beat size reductions was to look for cut-price deals, such as multi-buy offers in the supermarkets or Nectar and Clubcard prices.

Shrinking chocolate

All major manufacturers are shrinking the size of their treats to help combat rising material costs.

Last month it was discovered that Cadbury cut the size of multipacks of its Brunch bars from five to four.

Instead, a four-bar pack is now on shelves for the same average price of £1.50.

It means the bars – a staple of school lunchboxes – are, in effect, 20 per cent worse value.

Cadbury also reduced packs of Freddos from five to four and Cadbury Dairy Milk multipacks were cut from nine bars to seven.

More recently, the brand slashed the size of it’s Dairy Milk Little Bars multipacks by a third.

How to save money on chocolate

We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.

Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…

Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.

Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.

Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.

Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.

They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.

Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.

So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.

UK seaside towns are usually a hit with tourists for their beautiful beaches, cosy pubs and fish and chip shops, but one town has become famous for a Sainsbury’s car park

When planning a seaside staycation, most people will look at a town’s proximity to beautiful beaches, the choice of pubs and chippies on offer, and whether there are many attractions to keep the whole family busy.

While Bude in Cornwall may be right by some gorgeous coastal walks and offer plenty of seaside charm, there’s a quirky reason why Brits are flocking to the town to snap photos.

In what is an example of British humour at its best, a Sainsbury’s car park has become the town’s top-rated attraction on Tripadvisor, with a rating of 4.7 stars.

It’s not entirely clear when it started, but UK tourists started leaving hilariously generous reviews of the Bude Tunnel, describing it as “magnificent” and “magical”, and comparing it to the likes of Lapland or London.

READ MORE: Idyllic town with great pubs and stunning gardens named best in whole of ScotlandREAD MORE: Tourists are flocking to ‘quirky’ UK village purely because of its name

It’s gained such a cult following that Tripadvisor reportedly briefly switched off comments at one point because the reviews weren’t truthfully reflecting what it actually is; a perspex tunnel, in a car park.

“A life-changing stroll through plastic grandeur – loses half a star because our epic trek lacked a soundtrack,” one jokester wrote on the review site. “Maybe it would’ve been better at night when it’s lit up.”

Another added: “Forget Harry Potter. If you want a magical experience, this is it. This is our second visit to the tunnel in as many years. You will NOT be disappointed.”

It could also turn out to be quite the romantic hotspot. One holidaymaker and their partner survived what must have been a rough time for them both as they wrote: “Doesn’t disappoint, it brought me and my partner closer together after a disagreement over Sainsbury’s opening times. Stronger than ever, thank you Bude tunnel.”

Locals have also been getting in on the joke, with one resident saying that “this South Western Wonder is a wonderful landmark which we are all sure to be proud to have in Cornwall”, quipping that they felt “so inspired and motivated” while they walked through the tunnel. Meanwhile Sainsbury’s has embraced the attention, and has even decorated the tunnel with some Christmas lights during festive seasons.

Luckily for tourists (and to be honest, locals), there’s a lot more that Bude has to offer. Other highly-rated attractions on Tripadvisor include the town’s natural sea pool, as well as some of the picturesque beaches such as Summerleaze Beach with its pirate ship model and Sandy Mouth Beach. Water sports fans won’t be disappointed either with a host of offerings from kayaking and bodyboarding to surfing. Meanwhile back on land, hikers can lace up their boots and take on a stretch of the South West Coast Path.

You can find out more on visitbude.info.

Is there an unexpected tourist attraction where you live? Email us at [email protected].

SHOPPERS are rushing to snap up a £13 Sainsbury’s summer dress, that is super flattering on all body types.

With just a few weeks left of the school summer holidays, many Brits are likely hoping to make the most of the hot weather, with days out at the beach and last-minute trips abroad.

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And what better way to get yourself excited for summer plans, than to treat yourself to a brand new frock.

Sainsbury’s Tu is one of the best-loved brands on the high street, and is constantly wowing us with its stylish but affordable fashion.

From cute dresses to on-trend work attire, the supermarket fast-fashion range always hits the mark, and its summer collection is no exception.

Elegant summer dress

One dress in particular that has caught the eye of fashion fans is the Yellow Square Neck Poplin Midaxi Dress which has been slashed from £26 to £13, a saving of 50%.

The stunning frock is perfect for those with bigger busts, as it has chunky straps, meaning you can wear a supportive bra underneath.

It is made with a lightweight fabric, which will keep you cool on hot summer days, and even has pockets, so you don’t even have to take a bag out with you.

Pair the bright-coloured gown with chunky wedge sandals and eye-catching accessories for a statement holiday look.

The dress is available in a wide range of sizes, from size six to size 24.

However, it has proved so popular with fashion fans that it is sold out in some sizes, so you better be quick to snap up the deal.

Shoppers have been raving about the summer frock on the Sainsbury’s website.

One customer said: “I really like the cut and colour of this dress and it has thick shoulder straps so you can wear your regular bra.”

A second said: “I loved this dress from the moment I spotted it in store and thus I purchased it the second I was able to!

“Fabric wise this dress is very much a summer wear, though I suspect if you layer just right you could well push it into winter.”

A third shopper wrote: “This is a lovely dress. Lovely material.

“I’m a size 12 and it fitted perfectly.”

A fourth remarked: “This lovely dress is made out of quality material, in a triumphant colour and cut beautifully.

SAINSBURY’S shoppers are going wild after spotting a “gorgeous” new autumn pyjama collection.

The supermarket’s in-house fashion label Tu is one of the best-loved brands on the high street, and is constantly wowing us with its stylish but affordable fashion.

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TikToker Jasmine Poppy sent fashion lovers into a frenzy when she posted a clip of her latest TU Clothing purchases.

The TikToker showed off Sainsbury’s new range of cosy sets perfect for snuggling up as the nights draw in.

Among the finds was the Mini Me Women’s Halloween Pink Pumpkin Print Slinky Pyjama set, priced at £16, with the rest of the line retailing at £20.

And while Halloween PJs usually mean garish orange and purple prints, Sainsbury’s has gone for something a little different this year with pretty designs in soft pinks and cute patterns that shoppers say are “perfect for autumn”.

The line includes a pink jersey pasta printed set, cosy pin-striped pumpkin set and a fun cherry cake printed set, with plenty of other cute designs for shoppers to pick from.

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The playful pumpkin prints, soft fabrics, and matching sets have quickly earned a spot on people’s must-buy lists.

“I LOVE TU pjs, they’re so comfy,” raved one fan in the comments.

Another wrote: “Never have I run to order something so quickly.”

A third added: “These are gorgeous, I want all of them.”

One shopper had their eyes on a particular set, gushing: “I need the cherry pumpkin ones.”

While another insisted: “Sainsbury’s pjs top all others, honestly.”

It’s clear Sainsbury’s is coming into the colder months well prepared, with styles that feel seasonal without being over-the-top spooky, perfect for anyone who wants to nod to Halloween without going full fancy dress.

So, if you’re already dreaming of hot chocolate, candles, and a fresh pair of matching PJs, you might want to make your next supermarket trip a pyjama haul.

It comes after a Sainsbury’s fashion boss sent shoppers into a frenzy after giving them a sneak peek of their new autumn arrivals.

Hannah Pountain, Director of Merchandising at Tu Clothing, revealed her top five picks from the new range in an Instagram video over the weekend.

And she rounded up her five top picks from the new range – including a staple buy which proves a classic 1920s trend is returning.

The autumn drop follows a wave of excitement over other high street nightwear launches.

Just last week, Primark had shoppers swooning with a Clueless-themed pyjama line, inspired by the iconic 90s rom-com.

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