Chocoholics are facing a surge in prices for some holiday treats, with research revealing increases of up to 72% compared to last Christmas. The consumer group Which? has observed sharp rises in the cost of various seasonal essentials, tracking over 25,000 food and drink items in eight supermarkets throughout the year.
Among the categories scrutinized, chocolate has been hit hardest by inflation, experiencing an average price hike of 14.2% over the past year. Factors contributing to this increase include ongoing challenges in cocoa harvests and supply chain issues.
Notably, prices for specific chocolate products have significantly risen, such as the Lindt Lindor milk chocolate truffles treat box (37g) at Asda, which has soared from £1.15 to £1.98 – a hefty 72.2% increase. Similarly, at Morrisons, Lindt Milk Chocolate Teddy Christmas Tree Decorations have surged from £3.50 in 2024 to £6 now, marking a 71.4% jump.
Morrisons also witnessed price hikes on other chocolate items, like the 40g Lindt Christmas milk chocolate Teddy, which increased from £1.50 to £2.50. Meanwhile, Tesco saw a significant rise in the cost of a 145g Terry’s Chocolate Orange Dark Ball, climbing from £1.50 to £2.50.
Additionally, the cost of Christmas turkeys has seen a 4.7% increase year-on-year, with issues like bird flu and escalating operational expenses impacting individual prices. For instance, a Tesco Finest Free Range Bronze Turkey Crown Medium (2.99kg) surged by £14.95, rising from £53.82 to £68.77 – a jump of 27.8%.
According to the Which? tracker, Waitrose experienced the highest price increase at 6.2% in the year up to November, while Asda maintained the lowest inflation rate at 3%, outperforming discount competitors Aldi and Lidl.
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, emphasized the importance of monitoring individual item prices, as some products have spiked by up to 70% year on year. She suggested that budget-conscious shoppers consider shopping at Aldi, Lidl, and Asda, known for their lower inflation rates and competitive pricing.
Both Asda and Morrisons highlighted their commitment to offering quality products at affordable prices throughout the festive season, with Asda emphasizing accessible low prices for all customers and Morrisons promoting customer benefits such as discounts and rewards for More Card members.