In a move that reflects shifting consumer priorities, Tesco has launched a wedding gift registry offering bundles of everyday essentials such as toilet paper, bin liners, and toothpaste. The initiative responds to growing demand among modern couples for practical gifts over traditional, luxury wedding presents.
Dubbed the “Tesco Really Useful Stuff” package, one of the standout offerings includes five packs of 12-roll luxury toilet tissue, two tubes of toothpaste, kitchen towels, refuse sacks, antibacterial hand wash, and a selection of shower products — all for £63. While Tesco acknowledged this “might not immediately seem like the most romantic option,” the retail giant said the bundle speaks to what many couples genuinely need.
In collaboration with wedding registry platform Prezola, Tesco has introduced six themed bundles, including the £39 “I Love Brew” set — featuring six months’ worth of tea and biscuits — and the £72 “Dine-In Dates” package, which includes Tesco Finest ready meals and wine.
The launch follows a nationwide survey commissioned by Tesco, which revealed that 88% of newlyweds or engaged couples believe the need for practical gifts has increased, largely due to the rising cost of living. Nearly half of those surveyed (48%) attributed this shift in preference to economic pressures, with 40% saying they’d now prefer useful items over extravagant ones.
Among the findings, just 8% of couples desired fine china, while only 10% expressed interest in receiving crockery or towels. In contrast, 18% said they’d prefer a year’s worth of groceries. A significant 87% of respondents were already cohabiting before marriage, meaning traditional household gifts held less appeal.
The survey also uncovered that 63% of couples experienced financial stress related to their wedding, with most taking up to a year to pay off the expenses. Of those facing financial strain, 82% said they would rather receive gifts that help recover post-wedding costs. An overwhelming 93% noted that a stockpile of basic household items would significantly ease their monthly budget.
A Tesco spokesperson commented, “Our research has shown that it’s the little things that matter most to couples — whether it’s catching up over a cup of tea, sharing household chores, or carving out time for a date night. While toilet roll and teabags might not scream romance, these are the gifts that can truly help get married life off to a strong start.”
The research was conducted by Censuswide and surveyed 2,001 engaged or recently married individuals between May 2 and May 7.
