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'I found Tesco receipt from 1998 and was floored by how cheap things were'

One woman has taken to social media to share a photograph of a Tesco receipt from 1998, showing the price of 22 food and drink items – and people couldn't believe how cheap certain products were

A customer holds his shopping receipt alongside his Tesco Clubcard loyalty card after shopping inside a Tesco supermarket
Many people couldn't believe the prices (stock image)(Image: Bloomberg, Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The rising cost of supermarket goods has left many people in reeling, especially in the face of the current cost of living crisis. And one woman has shed light on just how much these prices have skyrocketed over the years after unearthing a photograph of a Tesco receipt from 27 years ago.


The woman, known as Lauren, posted the image of the 1998 receipt on X, which was subsequently shared on Facebook. The receipt revealed that the shopper had bought a total of 22 food and drink items for a mere £27.96. One item, priced at £10.99, accounted for a significant chunk of the bill, but it was crossed out on the receipt, leaving people to speculate what it might have been.


The receipt offered a stark contrast to today's prices, with cola costing just 23p back then, compared to 80p for a 2L bottle of Tesco's own brand today.


A box of Weetabix was a steal at only 65p, a far cry from today's price of £3.50 for a box of 24.

Cooking oil was a bargain at a mere 53p, whereas now you'll need to shell out at least £1.99 for a bottle at Tesco. Even a bouquet of flowers would have set you back only £1.66 27 years ago.


Cat food was priced at just 48p, but the cheapest box you'll find in Tesco today is £2.59.

Sharing the photo, Lauren wrote: "Found a picture of a 27-year-old receipt which came to £27.96.

"While I couldn't find every item on the Tesco website, I could definitely make educated guesses, so by my estimation this would case you £79.64 today."


The post showcasing surprisingly low prices caused quite a stir, quickly gathering over 8,000 likes as people expressed their amazement.

One shopper exclaimed in disbelief: "Weetabix is how much?"

Another was taken aback, remarking: "Cooking oil 53p? Wow!"


A third reminisced, commenting: "Ah, the golden years of 1998 Tesco shopping. They were the best of times... if only we know then. Peak civilisation."

Curiosity arose with one person asking: "What's the 10.99 item?", prompting another to jest: "Probably a down payment for a house."

Yet another chimed in humorously: "Maybe a washing machine?".

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While the price tags left many gobsmacked, some pointed out that it was all down to 'just inflation', noting that these were prices from nearly three decades ago.

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