Supermarket chain scraps repackaging scheme

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A chain of Welsh supermarkets has scrapped a refillable packaging scheme, describing it as a "waste of time and money".

Filco first introduced the concept by installing a refill station at its Llantwit Major store in 2020.

But the retailer says weekly sales are not justifying the need to dedicate six metres of room to the scheme, which cost £10,000 to install.

A director of the Welsh-owned chain told an industry magazine that shoppers had criticised the premium pricing and inconsistent portion sizes involved.

Filco director Matthew Hunt told The Grocer: "Sales were £100 to £150 per week and waste was higher than that."

"Sales were only really coming from the sweet things like chocolate and nuts, so we'd be better off with a traditional pick and mix offer."

Mr Hunt said people were shocked by the price of the product after it was dispensed, leading to so many bags being dumped around the store.

He added: They put too much in the bags and found the price could easily get towards £10...it was like pick and mix in the cinema - £20 for a handful of sweets."

"It was a nice fad and created a bit of theatre and interest, but far from viable in a supermarket or convenience store. An expensive mistake!"

The Grocer reports other supermarkets have also recently scrapped similar schemes - with Asda previously piloting refill aisles, while Lidl tried out reusable packaging for laundry detergent.

Filco - which began in Llantwit Major as a grocery store on Wine Street in 1946, before moving to Boverton Road in the 1960s - now runs nine stores across South Wales, including one in Cowbridge.

The chain also operated a store in Barry until its sudden closure in December 2017.

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