Iceland network launches surprise bags for £2: what you can get.

According to The Sun: The famous supermarket has partnered with the local app Olio to launch surprise bags for £2, containing products worth up to £10.

Iceland is launching the distribution of bags called “Lucky Dip,” which contain unknown products at a reduced price.

These bags contain at least eight products from Iceland stores that are nearing their expiration date.

According to information from the Olio website, users can buy a “Lucky Dip” bag at a discount of up to 80% – this means that your bag for £2 can contain products worth up to £10.

The bags can include fresh fruits and vegetables, basic kitchen staples, or delicacies.

This initiative is launching nationwide today after successful testing in London and Manchester earlier this year.

How it works

You can book a “Lucky Dip” bag in the Olio app by searching for the nearest Iceland stores.

Then you should visit the chosen store at the designated collection time to pay for the bag and pick up your goodies.

Tessa Clarke, co-founder and CEO of Olio, said: “Millions of families are feeling the financial strain, especially with the holidays coming up, and the issue of food waste remains prevalent. “Lucky Dip bags are fun, practical and beneficial, we can't wait for people to find what's in their bags.”

Stuart Landram, Director of Products, Processes and Sustainability at Iceland Foods, added: “Our Lucky Dip bags have already proven effective at helping families save money without sacrificing quality. “By implementing this initiative at Olio on a national level, we ensure that every Iceland shopper has the opportunity to get great value for just £2 per bag.”

What else does Olio offer?

Discounted surprise bags are just one way to save on grocery shopping.

Olio also offers 50% off some individual products at Iceland.

Additionally, you can get “Lucky Dip” bags from various stores in your area, depending on your location and availability of products.

Checking offers at different shops can also help reduce your shopping expenses.

Aldi has been recognized as the cheapest store according to the latest Which? ratings.

In September, a shop of 71 items at Aldi cost an average of £122.77.

Aldi was more than a pound cheaper than Lidl, as a shop at Lidl cost an average of £123.95.

The list of 71 items included both branded products, such as Cathedral City cheddar and Hellmann’s mayonnaise, as well as private label products, such as potatoes and canned beans.

How to save on grocery shopping

Consumer journalist Sam Walker explains how you can save hundreds of pounds a year:

Vegetable boxes – many retailers offer slightly misshapen fruits and vegetables or surplus food at discounted prices.

Lidl sells five kilograms of fruits and vegetables for just £1.50 through its Waste Not campaign, while Aldi shoppers can get Too Good to Go bags containing products worth £10 for £3.30.

Additionally, Sainsbury’s offers boxes of fruits and vegetables “Taste Me, Don’t Waste Me” for £2 to help customers reduce food waste and save money.

Food waste reduction apps – these apps help shops, cafes, restaurants, and other businesses sell off goods nearing their end date, passing them onto consumers.

Some of the most well-known are Too Good to Go and Olio.

The Too Good to Go app is free to register and is used by millions of people in the UK, allowing users to buy food at a discount.

Olio operates similarly, but users can get food and other items for free from neighbors and businesses.

Yellow label discounts – discounts on yellow labels, sometimes orange and red in some supermarkets, are a great way to purchase products at a lower price.

But the best time to go hunting for discounts varies by retailer. You can check the best time for each supermarket here.

Super cheap discounts – join Facebook groups for discount lovers, such as Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK, where shoppers constantly share their deals on discounted prices, including groceries.

“Switch to budget chains” – you will almost always save money by choosing supermarket own-brand goods instead of premium brands.

Switching to the lower segment, also known as “downshifting” and referred to by consumption expert Martin Lewis, can save you hundreds of pounds a year on groceries.

The “Lucky Dip” surprise bag initiative from Iceland in partnership with Olio is a step that can significantly help families save money on groceries. It’s not only an opportunity to buy necessities at a great price but also a way to reduce food waste by giving products a chance to be consumed before they expire. Amidst economic challenges and inflation, such initiatives become particularly relevant for many families.

Furthermore, the collaboration between major retailers and local platforms like Olio can create new opportunities in the fight against food waste. This is an example of how businesses can adapt to challenges and offer solutions that are beneficial for consumers and the environment.