Tesco pulls popular items such as Marmite and Pot Noodles from its website following bust up with Unilever over plummeting pound
A range of popular products, including Hellmanns mayonnaise, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, Knorr stock cubes and Pot Noodles are unavailable
TESCO has pulled popular items such as Marmite and Pot Noodles from its website following a bust up with Unilever over the plummeting pound.
A range of popular products, including Hellmanns mayonnaise, Marmite Ben & Jerry's ice cream, Knorr stock cubes and Pot Noodles are now unavailable on the website.
The two companies are currently locked in a war of words over who should bear the cost of the weakening pound.
Unilever has demanded steep price increases to offset the higher cost of imported goods, which are priced in euros and dollars.
But Tesco has suggested it will fight the rises - removing Unilever from its website and warning that some items could disappear from shelves if the row drags on.
Other supermarkets have indicated they may do the same.
The pound has fallen in value by around 17 per cent since the UK voted to leave the EU.
One well-informed retail source told The Guardian newspaper: “Unilever is using Brexit as an excuse to raise prices, even on products that are made in the UK.”
Tesco hasn't confirmed the sudden removal of Unilever goods is down to the row, but chief Dave Lewis signalled last week that he would fight against suppliers who try to use the plunging pound to justify price hikes.
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They have instead said they are looking into why the products are suddenly unavailable.
The bizarre stock plummet led a number of Twitter users to suggest the two big companies may have had a fall-out.
Harry Wallop asked: "Has Tesco had row with Unilever? Marmite, Colman's and Hellmann's - Unilever's start products - all unavailable on website. Delisted?"
He then added: "Tesco has clearly had major bust-up with Unilever. Knorr and Ben & Jerry's - 2 more Unilever products - also not available at Tesco."
Pictures are showing of the household favourite items on the supermarket's website, but underneath a message reads: "Sorry, this product is currently not available."
Colmans sauces and Comfort products were also among those unavailable online.
All of the products are still available on other supermarket websites, including Sainsburys and Ocado.
Wallop suggests the lack of stock has a "whiff of Tesco row with Premier Foods in 2011".
Tesco responded to one of Wallop's tweets saying: "We're currently experiencing availability issues on a number of Unilever products.
"We hope to have this issue resolved soon."
The company tried to pass on a 14 per cent increase in costs to Tesco - equalling about £150million.
Tesco responded by refusing to stock their produce - leading to a near-30 per cent fall in Loyd Grossman sauces and a 14.6 per cent dip in Branston Pickle sales.
A Tesco spokesperson said: "We are currently experiencing availability issues on a number of Unilever products. We always work to ensure customers get the best possible prices and we hope to have this issue resolved soon."
A Unilever spokesperson has refused to comment.
Unilever row: What will be affected?
Marmite
Ben & Jerry's ice cream
Comfort fabric conditioner
Hellmann’s products including mayonnaise
Pot Noodle
Knorr stock cubes and seasoning
Bertolli spreads
Persil washing products
Surf washing products
Dove products
Colman’s mustard
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