Chocoholics are facing soaring prices for holiday treats, with some products seeing a price hike of up to 72% compared to last Christmas, according to recent research. The consumer group Which? has observed significant increases in the cost of various seasonal essentials, monitoring over 25,000 food and drink items across eight supermarkets throughout the year.
Among the categories examined, chocolate showed the most pronounced inflation, with prices surging by an average of 14.2% over the past year. Factors contributing to this increase include ongoing challenges with cocoa harvests and supply chain disruptions.
Notably, the price of a Lindt Lindor milk chocolate truffles treat box (37g) at Asda has surged from £1.15 to £1.98, marking a substantial 72.2% increase. Similarly, at Morrisons, the price of Lindt Milk Chocolate Teddy Christmas Tree Decorations has risen from £3.50 to £6, reflecting a 71.4% uptick.
Further price hikes were observed at Morrisons and Tesco for various chocolate products, with increases ranging from two thirds to over 60%. Additionally, the cost of Christmas turkey, a crucial holiday item, has seen a 4.7% rise year-on-year, attributed to factors such as bird flu and escalating operational expenses for farmers.
According to the Which? tracker, prices at Waitrose have experienced the highest increase, climbing by 6.2% in the year leading up to November, while Asda recorded the lowest inflation rate at 3%, outperforming discount competitors like Aldi and Lidl.
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, emphasized the importance of scrutinizing individual item prices, noting that shoppers can save money by opting for supermarkets with lower inflation rates like Aldi, Lidl, and Asda. She advised consumers to compare unit prices across different products to ensure they are securing the best deals.
While Asda highlighted its commitment to maintaining low prices for customers, Morrisons emphasized its efforts to offer quality products at affordable prices, including special discounts for More Card members.