- The £6 ‘posh’ egg mayonnaise and watercress sandwich had just 51 grams of extra filling
- Consumer expert attributes rise of luxury sandwiches to ‘small treats’ culture
The shift toward hybrid working is driving increased demand for premium sandwiches, a consumer expert said.
As millions of Brits continue to face the cost of living crisis, industry bosses suggest buying lunch could be one area they are ready to push the boat out on.
Consumer expert Nick Drewe told MailOnline that being in the office just two or three times a week makes an ‘impulsive’ purchase of a luxury lunch option less taxing on their pocket.
Marks and Spencer charges £6 for its “posh” egg mayonnaise and watercress sandwich, which has 51 grams more than a regular egg sandwich.
However, egg mayonnaise isn’t the only “luxury” takeout food that comes with a hefty price tag.
Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Marks and Spencer are selling ‘luxury’ sandwiches for over £4 (pictured)
Marks and Spencer, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s all offer luxury versions of some of their regular flavors – each of which costs over £4.
The ‘fancy’ egg mayonnaise sandwich wasn’t the only expensive sandwich M&S offered.
As part of its “deep-filled” range – launched earlier this year – the retailer has decided to put a “chic” shrimp and mayonnaise sandwich on its shelves as well as a New York cheese version.
Both are priced at £5.50 and £5.25 respectively, but the retailer sells standard and cheaper versions of the ‘luxury’ food items, although they are slightly less filling.
The gluten-free New Yorker Cheddar Cheese sandwich costs over £2 more than the M&S Plowman Cheddar Cheese flavor, while their ‘posh’ prawn mayonnaise sandwich costs almost double the £3.80 version.
It has emerged that Sainsbury’s is also selling fancier versions of traditional sandwiches at an inflated price.
A ham and mature cheddar sandwich costs £4.25, which is £1.50 more than a ham and cheese sub, while being 51 grams heavier.
Their Taste the Difference Chicken and Bacon Club Sandwich will cost potential buyers more than £1 more than its cheaper counterpart.
The ‘luxury’ takeaway food also weighs 66 grams more than the regular version – the Sainsbury’s Chicken and Maple Cured Bacon Sandwich.
While they may be luxurious, a higher price tag has been a deterrent for some, as Waitrose confirmed the £3.15 ham and cheese sandwich was more popular than its fancier pastrami counterpart.
Recently, people were pissed off over M&S’s ‘posh’ egg and watercress sandwich priced at £6 (left) – which had just 51 grams more filling than the standard version (right).
Like M&S, Sainsbury’s sells its ham hock and mature cheddar sandwich for £1.50 more than a ham and cheese sub roll.
However, a higher price may have been a deterrent for some, with Waitrose’s cheaper ham and cheese sandwich (left) outselling its fancier pastrami counterpart (right).
But the rise of luxury sandwiches raises questions as purse strings tighten: Why are people buying expensive versions of our lunch classics?
Consumer expert Mr. Drewe, Since Wethrift, told MailOnline: “The popularity and adaptation to the hybrid model of working in a post-COVID climate means many people only visit their office two or three times a week.
“This makes impulsive purchasing a luxury lunch option less impactful on their finances.”
“If they save money on commuting and can eat lunch at home the rest of the time, a lunchtime splurge on an ‘office day’ is more justifiable.”
Explaining that in tough economic times, people often look for “little treats” like a little indulgence, he added: Luxury sandwiches with their mouth-watering range of flavors are a great example.
“They (luxury sandwiches) can satisfy our cravings and boost our mood with a quick dose of dopamine without breaking the bank.”
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