Chocoholics are facing significant price hikes of up to 72% on some holiday treats compared to last Christmas, according to recent research. The consumer group Which? revealed a sharp rise in prices for various seasonal essentials, tracking over 25,000 food and beverage products in eight supermarkets throughout the year.
Among the categories analyzed, chocolate experienced the highest inflation rate, with prices surging by an average of 14.2% in the past year. This increase is attributed to ongoing challenges in cocoa harvests and supply chain issues.
Specific examples include a Lindt Lindor milk chocolate truffles treat box at Asda, which rose from £1.15 to £1.98, marking a 72.2% increase. Similarly, at Morrisons, Lindt Milk Chocolate Teddy Christmas Tree Decorations jumped from £3.50 to £6, reflecting a 71.4% price hike.
Moreover, the price of a 40g Lindt Christmas milk chocolate Teddy at Morrisons increased from £1.50 to £2.50, while Tesco saw a similar trend with the Terry’s Chocolate Orange Dark Ball, rising from £1.50 to £2.50, an increase of around two-thirds.
In another category, the cost of Christmas turkeys has also risen by 4.7% year-on-year, driven by factors such as bird flu and escalating operational expenses for farmers. Notably, a Tesco Finest Free Range Bronze Turkey Crown Medium witnessed a substantial price surge from £53.82 to £68.77, representing a 27.8% increase.
According to the Which? tracker, Waitrose experienced the highest price increase at 6.2% in the year leading up to November, while Asda had the lowest inflation rate at 3%, outperforming discount competitors like Aldi and Lidl.
Retail Editor at Which?, Reena Sewraz, emphasized the importance of monitoring individual item prices, as some products have seen up to a 70% increase year-on-year. To save money this holiday season, she recommended shopping at Aldi, Lidl, and Asda, known for their low inflation rates and cost-effective offerings.
Both Asda and Morrisons spokespersons highlighted their commitment to providing quality products at competitive prices throughout the festive period, with Asda emphasizing accessibility to all shoppers without loyalty card requirements. Morrisons’ More Card members were also mentioned, benefiting from discounts, personalized offers, and reward points on purchases.
