Martin Lewis investigation into Holland & Barrett prompts major change
The scheme allows shoppers to schedule regular delieveries of products at a discounted price. The customers get a fixed percentage off the standard price of the item, often between 20% and 45% off, as well as free delivery on orders over £10. However, research by MoneySavingExpert.com that took place over a five month period, revealed a number of faults, including that shoppers would have actually saved more without the scheme.
As a result, the health giant which has more than 700 stores in the UK, has said it will carry out a review of the scheme, in a major change. However, company bosses defended 'Subscribe & Save', highlighting that customers get consistently better prices than if they were to make one-off purchases.
Price checks of 10 products were carried out over 100 separate days between July 29, 2024 and January 17, 2025 and it was found that in 59% of the cases it was cheaper to buy the product as a one-off.
On top of that, the research revealed that customers would have actually lost out on savings of 75p right up to £3.50 and in worst cases, they could have overpaid by as much as a huge £39.99.
Holland & Barrett website states that the Subscribe & Save is 'the most convenient and cost-effective way' to shop, as well as that customers will be 'getting the best value'. Read More Thousands of pensioners could be missing out on free TV licence
However, it does not factor in any special offers or deals that may be available at the time of a delivery, such as 'buy one get one free', '3 for 2' or 'better than half price' sales. Therefore, as the subsription discount doesn't include various other promotions, those subscribing can sometimes end up paying more than those who buy the item as a one-off purchase.
Items that were found to always be more expensive in the Subscribe & Save scheme includes the Egmont Manuka Honey 1046+ MGO 250g, Holland & Barrett Goji Berries 210g, and Holland & Barrett Manuka Honey MGO 800+ 350g.
A 200ml bottle of Nivea Sun Kids Sensitive Protect & Care Suncream Lotion SPF 50+ was found to be cheaper to buy as a one-off product 67% of the time, while 899g of the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein powder in the flavour Double Rich Chocolate, was found to be cheaper as a one-off purchase 55% of the time.
Following the investigation, Holland & Barrett defended the scheme, arguing that it offers 'consistently great prices over the course of a year', with 'the convenience of an automated order' and the free delivery on orders over £10.
However, admitted that 'on rare occasions' that subscription customers 'may have paid more'. The retailer have told MoneySavingExpert.com that they will 'carry out a detailed review' to ensure that those using the Subsribe & Save scheme benefit from offers. They will also look to make the scheme's language and T&Cs clearer.
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