Tesco is predicting a surge in demand for lunchbox staples this Bank Holiday weekend as families prepare for the new school term, with sales of kids’ yogurts and drinks expected to rise by 42% and berries and currants forecast to increase by 14% compared with the same period last year.
The retailer believes this year’s late August Bank Holiday, which falls immediately before most children return to school, will drive more families to use the long weekend to get organised for the new term, shifting spending towards lunchbox and back-to-school essentials.
To support this, Tesco also has a 4 for 3 promotion running in large stores and online (for Home Delivery and Click +Collect order) on over 110 lunch box snack favourites, including cheese snacks, kids yogurts, cooked meats, snack bars and small bottles of Evian Kids mineral water multipacks. (Until 15 September). In Tesco Express stores, there is also a 3 for 2 on selected products.
This week is also expected to be the to be the busiest school uniform shopping period of the year for shoppers at Tesco stores and online.
The yogurt rush taking over more than just children’s lunchboxes though, with Tesco reporting wider volume sales of Greek yogurt up 32% compared with 2024. Tesco Finest Greek Yogurt has been a particularly strong performer, with volume sales increasing by 181% over the last two years.
Sarah-Jane Gregory, Tesco Buying Manager for Yogurt at Tesco, said:
“This year’s Bank Holiday falls just before many children head back to school, so we’re expecting lots of families to spend the weekend getting ready for the new term and stocking up on lunchbox favourites.
“We’re forecasting particularly strong demand for products such as kids’ yogurts, drinks and berries as parents look for convenient options for breakfast, lunchboxes and after-school snacks. We’re also continuing to see significant growth in Greek yogurt, with more customers choosing it as a versatile option that can be enjoyed at breakfast, paired with fruit, or used as a snack throughout the day.”
Sales of stationery could also be up 16% on last year’s August Bank Holiday sales. With savings across school essentials, Tesco is helping families prepare for the new school year for less.
For less than £5, customers can pick up all the pieces for a back-to-school pencil case, the essentials noted below:
- Tesco Geometry Set just £1
- Tesco Assorted Ball Point Pens (10 pack) just 50p
- Tesco Rectangular Highlighters (4 pack) just £1
- Tesco Twin Pencil Sharpener just 40p
- Tesco HB pencils with erasers (12 pack) just £1
- Tesco Tablet Eraser just 50p
- Tesco Clear Small Pencil Case just 50p
In addition, branded stationery goods are available at special Clubcard back to school prices:
- BIC Stationery Cristal Pens Black 10 Pack Regular Price £3.40 Clubcard Price £1.45,
- Staedtler Stationery 10HB Noris Pencils with Eraser and Sharpener Regular Price £4 Clubcard Price £1.95,
- Sharpie Stationery Permanent Markers, Fine Point Pens Black 5 Pack Regular Price £6.40 Clubcard Price £3, ends 30/09.
