Bad English?

It should be fewer, not less. I like the new wording better. I do debate about these sort of things though. ?

"These sort"? ?

Well, I suppose it's a good thing that you're prepared to debate it!

See, to me, I don't really see the distinction between 'fewer' and 'less'. They mean the same thing, so it is a grammatical no-no? If so, why?

"Fewer" is used when referring to a specific quantity that can be counted or measured.

"Less" is used when talking about something vaguer.

So, for instance, if you go to bed an hour earlier you'll have fewer hours in the day to get things done, or you'll have less time.

I hope "fewer time" looks ridiculous as an alternative - and while "less hours" might seem slightly more acceptable, it's just as wrong grammatically.

But you would have one hour less in your day, rather than one hour fewer? ?

Is this something you learnt at school? If so, at what level.

I can't remember going into this level of grammatical detail at school (only did English up to GCSE), although it's perfectly possible that I just forgot it!?

Damn typos - these sorts of things.

ETA - actually, that's wrong too. ? This sort of thing. That's what I meant to say.

Does this mean that only 9 items will be allowed now as up to 10 items does not include 10 items?

If it was only 9 items, it would be up to 9 items. Up to ten items indicates that ten is fine. Doesn't it? It doesn't suggest that ten itself is too much.

I'd read that as 'up to and including 10'.

Who'd have thought - it is indeed a topic for debate!?

<Father Ted> Down with this sort of thing! <Father Ted>

Wow. You mean my single-handed campaign to go around every Tesco in the land with an indelible marker, correcting each Express Checkout notice, has finally paid dividends??! (just kidding, honest) One small step for mankind, one huge step for pedantry! ?

I suppose they didn't want to be seen to be copying Waitrose by using the same wording but I can live with 'Up to 10 items'.

Why couldn't they just say 'Baskets only' and be done with it?

That would slow everything right down. I know how much I can cram in a basket!