Buyers are paying considerably extra for Christmas meals this 12 months, with festive chocolate treats costing as much as 70 per cent greater than final Christmas and the value of a turkey rising by as a lot as £15, in line with new analysis from client champion Which?.
The organisation analysed the price of key components for a conventional Christmas dinner alongside standard seasonal treats reminiscent of mince pies, glowing wine and candies. It discovered that whereas total grocery inflation figures seem to have eased, sharp worth rises on particular person festive objects are hitting consumers onerous.
Chocolate merchandise recorded the steepest will increase. A Lindt Lindor milk chocolate truffles field at Asda has risen by 72 per cent, from £1.15 final 12 months to £1.98, whereas Morrisons’ Lindt milk chocolate teddy tree decorations have jumped 71 per cent, from £3.50 in 2024 to £6 this 12 months. Lindt merchandise dominated the listing of the most important proportionate will increase, adopted by objects reminiscent of Terry’s darkish chocolate orange, Galaxy sharing blocks and Kinder multipacks.
Throughout the chocolate class as an entire, Which? discovered costs had been up by a mean of 14 per cent 12 months on 12 months. Reena Sewraz, retail editor at Which?, stated headline inflation figures masked the truth dealing with consumers. “Some particular person objects have shot up by greater than 70 per cent in contrast with final 12 months, which can come as a shock to many households planning their Christmas store,” she stated.
Rising cocoa costs have been a significant driver of upper chocolate prices, with poor harvests in key rising areas blamed on excessive climate, together with excessive temperatures and heavy rainfall.
Whereas chocolate has seen the biggest proportion will increase, turkeys have delivered the most important money influence. A Tesco Most interesting free-range medium bronze turkey crown has elevated by £14.95 to £68.77, an increase of almost 28 per cent. Throughout all turkey merchandise — together with complete birds, crowns and smaller cuts — costs had been up by a mean of 4.7 per cent 12 months on 12 months.
Which? stated turkey costs had been pushed up by a mix of hen flu outbreaks and rising prices confronted by farmers. The normal centrepiece of the Christmas dinner has additionally been dropping reputation, with extra consumers choosing options. This 12 months, Waitrose confirmed it will now not promote complete frozen turkeys, following an identical transfer by Marks & Spencer final Christmas.
Wanting throughout the key grocery store chains, Which? discovered that Waitrose recorded the very best total worth will increase within the run-up to Christmas, with costs up 6.2 per cent in contrast with final 12 months. Asda was discovered to have stored will increase lowest, at round 3 per cent.
Waitrose stated some merchandise discounted final Christmas had not been lowered this 12 months, whereas Sainsbury’s stated it was persevering with festive promotions, together with price-matched mince pies from £1.25 and discounted vegetable trimmings accessible by way of Nectar costs within the closing days earlier than Christmas.
Which? warned that whereas consumers could also be reassured by easing inflation headlines, many households will nonetheless really feel the pinch on the checkout as they put together for the festive season.
