Chocoholics are facing significant price hikes on festive treats, with some products surging by up to 72% compared to last Christmas, according to recent research. The consumer group Which? has observed a notable increase in prices for various seasonal essentials. Analyzing over 25,000 food and drink items across eight supermarkets, Which? identified chocolate as the most affected category, experiencing an average price surge of 14.2% due to factors such as poor cocoa harvests and supply challenges.
Specific examples include a Lindt Lindor milk chocolate truffles treat box (37g) at Asda, which rose from £1.15 to £1.98, marking a 72.2% increase. Similarly, at Morrisons, the price of Lindt Milk Chocolate Teddy Christmas Tree Decorations escalated from £3.50 to £6, representing a 71.4% uptick. Additionally, Morrisons witnessed a price surge from £1.50 to £2.50 for a 40g size Lindt Christmas milk chocolate Teddy, while Tesco saw a rise from £1.50 to £2.50 for a 145g Terry’s Chocolate Orange Dark Ball.
Furthermore, Which? highlighted significant price escalations in the Christmas turkey category, which includes whole birds, crowns, and smaller cuts, with prices up by 4.7% year-on-year. Factors such as bird flu outbreaks and increased operational expenses for farmers have impacted individual prices. For instance, a Tesco Finest Free Range Bronze Turkey Crown Medium (2.99kg) saw a substantial £14.95 increase, rising from £53.82 to £68.77, reflecting a 27.8% hike.
The Which? tracker revealed that Waitrose experienced the highest price rise at 6.2% in the year leading to November, while Asda exhibited the lowest increase at 3%, outperforming discount competitors Aldi and Lidl.
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, emphasized the importance of scrutinizing individual item prices, as some products have surged by up to 70% year on year. To save money during the festive season, shoppers are advised to consider shopping at Aldi, Lidl, and Asda, known for their low inflation rates and overall cost-effectiveness.
An Asda spokesperson underscored the supermarket’s commitment to maintaining low prices for customers, especially during the holiday season, without requiring a loyalty card for access. Similarly, a Morrisons spokesperson reiterated the company’s dedication to offering quality products at affordable prices, highlighting additional benefits for More Card members.
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