Major supermarket launches Pizza Express pod where you can get takeaway slices, dough balls and £10 meal deal
A MAJOR supermarket has launched a brand-new Pizza Express pod – so customers can grab pizza and dough balls on the go.
From today, customers can grab a fresh Pizza Express without having to ring up or even enter the chain’s restaurant.
This is because Tesco has introduced a brand new scheme where customers can “grab and go” from its very own Pizza Express pod.
The new partners are operating at Tesco Express in Southampton as of 12pm today (Thursday) offering pizza slices, dough balls and a brand-new meal deal to customers.
The meal deal, priced at just £9.95, features a pizza and soft drink lunch offer.
Meanwhile, all other products will reflect normal Pizza Express prices.
Tesco loyalty members are able to pay for this by redeeming their Clubcard points, which also double in value when converted to a Pizza Express voucher.
Simon Williams, Assets and Estates Director at Tesco said: “We’re always looking for ways to serve our customers better and help make their shop more convenient.
“We were delighted to work with Pizza Express to develop the new Pizza Express Pod concept at our Southampton Extra, making it even easier for our customers to grab a bite to eat when they pop in to do their weekly shop.”
The pod is situated outside the main entrance of the Tesco store in a trailer-style outlet, with a section of outdoor seating.
You can visit if you’re just popping in or on the go – or, if you want it to your door, it is also partnered with Deliveroo, Just Eats and Uber Eats.
It is the first of its kind, but Pizza Express is ever-expanding – meaning more could be on the cards.
There are currently 350 branches in the UK, but the chain says it wants to hit a whopping 1000 by the year 2030.
Chris Holmes, Chief Development Officer of Pizza Express, said: “Why not add a touch of excitement (and Dough Balls) to your usual grocery trip?
“We were the original casual dining player in supermarkets, launching over twenty years ago and are top of the leader board for our chilled pizza, famous salad dressing, and pizza dough proposition.”
In November last year, Pizza Express and Tesco began their partnership by bringing out an exclusive range of frozen pizzas, pasta, lasagna and garlic bread.
Their Tesco Clubcard scheme has also been popular with fans, which means points can be swapped for double the amount of cash credit in Pizza Express restaurants.
Now the introduction of a Pizza Express Pod marks the first time they have partnered for a freshly-served, staff-operated concession.
Other food chains found in big retailers
This is the second partnership for Tesco, which has also partnered with Greggs to add the bakery chain to its stores.
The partnership, which began in 2018, has resulted in 28 Tesco stores being rolled out so far.
Greggs has also had concessions in Sainsbury’s since May last year, and in Asda since March 2020.
It can also be found in a range of Primark’s across the country as well as central airport and station locations – totalling over 2,500 branches.
Sainsbury’s is also home to independent cuisine brand Sushi Gourmet, which can be found in most stores.
And baker Gail’s has taken camp in Waitrose and John Lewis stores across the UK since April last year, with 95 concessions in total.
To find out if your local supermarket has a restaurant chain attached, visit its website and use the Store Locator tool.
You can browse for your nearest store and find out which amenities are available.
How to save money on your 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.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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