Iceland is making a major change to carrier bags in stores and shoppers are divided
ICELAND is making a major change in stores but shoppers have reacted divided.
The frozen food specialist is rolling out brand new paper carrier bags in a bid to make them more durable for customers.
It comes as Iceland boss Richard Walker posted a picture of the new bag on X (formerly Twitter), calling it "sexy".
However, one concerned shopper said: "No good when it’s pouring down with rain."
But Richard Walker responded back saying the new bags are waterproof.
He said: "This is new technology, waterproof and performs really well with frozen food and rain!"
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In response, another shopper said: "Richard, you spoil us."
"Really useful in UK weather when it's raining," said another customer.
But a third said: "I've already had them but they easily rip."
An Iceland Spokesperson said: "At Iceland, we have been rolling out a new and improved design on our existing paper bags.
"The new paper bags have been designed with new technology.
"They are splash-proof, easier to carry and reuse, and perfect for carrying frozen food."
Iceland was the first supermarket to bring back old-style paper carrier bags back in 2019.
At the time, the supermarket also vowed to eliminate plastic packaging from its own-label products by the end of 2023.
The new bags are being rolled out across all 500 Iceland supermarkets.
Paper bags cost 30p a piece, but shoppers can also purchase plastic-free bags for life and insulated freezer bags.
The supermarket became the first in the country to launch £1 plastic-free woven bags back in June 2022.
At the time, Richard Walker said: "We know that many customers are still using 'bags for life' only once, so we have been working hard to create an alternative plastic-free reusable solution.
"Nearly 500 million plastic bags for life were sold last year in the UK – a steep decline in recent years – but this figure is still far too high.
"These new paper cotton bags will offer our customers a strong, reusable alternative to plastic bags.
"We're looking forward to seeing how customers respond to these new bags as part of our wider plans to reduce our plastic footprint."
How can I save on my supermarket shop?
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they've been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you'll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you'll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching "finest" or "luxury" products and instead going for "own" or value" type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they're misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you're on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
Since May 21, 2021, all retailers in England have had to charge a minimum 10p for single-use carrier bags.
You can be fined up to £200 if you do not.
But some supermarkets and retailers have implemented their own policies on top of the minimum levy.
For example, in July 2022, Home Bargains upped the price of its bags from 10p to 15p.
In the same year, Tesco and Sainsbury's increased the prices of their bags for life.
How can I save money when shopping at Iceland?
There are plenty of deals and loyalty offers not to be missed at Iceland.
For example, there's the Bonus Card Loyalty Scheme - it grants access to exclusive offers and lets you plan a budget by saving up cash in your account.
Launched in 2021, it's free to sign up for online and you'll just need to provide a few quick details.
With it, you can get the following special benefits:
- £1 bonus each time you add £20 to your savings balance
- Exclusive Bonus Card prices
- Free home delivery in stores and online
- Prizes and offers
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It's good to always shop around regardless of the offers you see though, because you never know what you're missing elsewhere.
Use comparison tools like Trolley.co.uk to browse the price of an item from other supermarkets, so you know you're getting the best deal.