New Tesco Purchase Quantity Limits: What You Must Know Before Your Next Shop

Is it not true that you often march into Tesco with your lengthy shopping list and only to be met by the checkout stopper? It really does happen quite frequently. Tesco is one of the giants of supermarkets in the UK and one of the major factors that influence the way we shop is the so-called tesco purchase quantity limits which essentially means a limitation on the number of certain goods you can get. The policy has been in place for quite some time, but a large percentage of shoppers have not been paying much attention to it. Hence, getting acquainted with these restrictions not only helps you save lifted hours but also spares you from being frustrated. What are those limitations?

What Exactly are the Tesco Purchase Quantity Limits?

Tesco refers to this as its “maximum purchase quantity” policy. It concerns a situation where a customer is limited. Thus, he/she is not allowed to go beyond a certain number of items in one single purchase. For instance, my friend Jane accidentally found out about it in a less pleasant way. She intended to buy 20 tubs of Greek yogurt for a big party. The person at the checkout stopped her.

Most of the time, Tesco sets a general limit. Many products are now limited to 16 units per shop. They publish this regulation quite obviously on their website. It is stated that the rule is used to keep products accessible to everyone. What they are basically trying to do is to put an end to the practice of customers buying in bulk. In this way, there is a far lesser chance of products ending up in short supply. The limit varies depending on the types of products and the quantities of the stock. Never forget that 16 is just a very frequently encountered number. It is always better for you to check the shelf for the appropriate rules.

Why Does Tesco Enforce Quantity Caps?

There’re quite a few reasons behind the reason why Tesco employs quantity restrictions to their customers. Firstly, the supermarket needs to handle the supply chain in an extremely efficient way. Tesco accomplishes this task by selling its products to almost 6 million customers on a weekly basis. So they really need to have a big stock. Secondly, they are trying to endorse the most fair type of shopping practice. Bulk-buying in large quantities would be the cause of panic if it was not stopped. For instance, we have experienced such situations a lot during the pandemic.

Moreover, changes in limits to quantities of food Tesco sells usually coincide with increased demands of some commodities. It does not take longer than a few hours for shelves to be empty when there are promotions or the seasonal rush. Having set up the limits, Tesco shares the stock with its customers. Therefore, more people can get hold of those commodities that are necessary to them. It is a simple way of securing merchandise. Besides, it is a nice way of inviting a larger number of people for shopping. These decisions happen on a daily basis in the Tesco boardroom.

Key Products Affected by the Tesco Purchase Quantity Limits

The list of products with purchase quantity restrictions changes every day. It depends only on the levels of both stock and demand. Nevertheless, the restrictions usually pinpoint particular staple goods. These are the goods which the consumers will most likely buy in large quantities. You could probably encounter limitations on the daily fresh foods.

Several examples of the product limitations were mentioned in the Mirror article published earlier. These were:

• Tesco Beef Mince (500g)
• Tesco British Semi Skimmed Milk (4 Pints)
• Tesco Wafer Thin Honey Roast Ham
• Tesco White Toastie Bread (Thick Sliced)
• Tesco Greek Style Natural Yogurt

In the present time, the limit of 16 is quite often brought into play for the abovementioned items. It especially holds if you order your groceries online. There are also times when the restrictions are more rigorous in the store, while sometimes they are less so. It solely depends on the manager’s choice that day. Before shopping, you have to inspect the digital listing or the shelf label. Also, do not forget to take a look at the fine print.

How the Tesco Maximum Purchase Quantity Rule Impacts Big Shoppers

If you get the groceries for a big family, the Tesco maximum purchase quantity rule may be one of those things that annoys you. Perhaps you are the owner of a small local business or a big family. You are in need of more than sixteen bottles of milk. What is your next move?

The limitation is set per transaction. This is the very detail that makes a big difference. There are some who split their purchases as a means of work around. They only carry out one transaction. After that, they take another transaction to finish the rest of their shopping. Nevertheless, the employees are usually not in favor of this kind of practice and thus discourage it. Furthermore, it can be seen as a violation of the spirit of the rule. Shopping in smaller quantities and more often is probably a better option. Purchase only the required amount for two or three days. Then, come back to get the rest later in the week. This technique is in accordance with tesco purchase quantity limits. Besides, it is good for the freshness of your products.

Are the Tesco Quantity Limitations a Permanent Feature?

The question “are these Tesco quantity limitations permanent?” is put forward by quite a few people and here is what we know about that. Most of the time, Tesco sets up the caps with a view to the short term. It uses the limits in order to alleviate the flow of inventory. It wants to keep the shelves full. However, there are quite a few instances where such limits have been in force for a longer time than expected. They are very often still there throughout the times of uncertainties in the economy. Situations of high inflation or disruption in the supply chain are the most common triggers for them. So, it would be quite reasonable to accept that they are going to stay for some time to come.

At the moment, we have to treat these rules as the new standard. They ensure that the supermarket is focusing on the availability of the products rather than selling large quantities to individuals. This is beneficial to the entire community. Next time you are going to have a big shop, it is good to be checking the limits first. Rewrite your list. It will give you a better checkout experience.

Final Thoughts on the Tesco Purchase Quantity Limits

The point is very straightforward. Tesco purchase quantity limits are no less than a fact of life for modern shopping. They are there to ensure that things are done in a fair way and that there is no lack of stock. Consumers are required to make changes in their shopping habits. Bear in mind the 16-item limitation that goes for most staples. Organize your bulk buying in a smart way. Don’t be like Jane with her twenty tubs of yogurt! Follow the rules. You assist other shoppers. At the same time, you make your shopping trip much easier. Continue shopping but do not forget to check those shelf ​‍​‌‍​‍‌labels.

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