Lidl's Bag Price Hike Sparks Fury: 40p Charge Angers Shoppers

Supermarket chain Lidl has ignited customer anger by raising the price of its plastic carrier bags from 30p to 40p. This decision has prompted a wave of complaints on social media platforms, with shoppers decrying the escalating costs and questioning the necessity of such increases. Some consumers expressed nostalgia for significantly lower prices from years past, while others criticized the strategy of monetizing waste reduction efforts.

Lidl's price adjustment mirrors recent actions by other major retailers, including Sainsbury's and Tesco, who have also increased their bag prices. Sainsbury's cited rising costs for its 30p to 40p increase, while Tesco also implemented a 10p hike. These supermarkets, like Lidl, offer free replacements for worn-out 'Bags for Life,' which are often made from recycled materials.

While supermarkets were mandated to charge 5p for single-use carriers in 2015, rising to 10p in 2021, the prices for reusable 'bags for life' have been steadily increasing without a specific legal requirement. Retailers provide various reasons for these hikes, including rising costs and donations to charitable causes. Other supermarkets like Aldi and Morrisons also charge for their reusable bags, with Waitrose and Iceland offering options at £1.