14 August 2023 , 23:01
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Branded food products in major UK supermarkets have seen price rises of up to 130% over the last year, consumer champion Which? has found.
In July, Which? analysed the prices of almost 26,000 branded food and drink products for its food inflation tracker at eight major UK supermarkets. These included Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.
Which? found that branded snack foods saw the largest increases overall with the biggest year-on-year increase seen on Mr Kipling Chocolate Slices six pack at Tesco. Last year this product cost on average £1.16 however, the average cost in 2023 now sits at £2.66. This is an increase of 129%.
Similarly, Mr Kipling Bakewell Cake Slices six pack at Sainsbury’s went from £1.38 to £2.75 an increase of £1.37 or 98.7%.
At Asda, Which? found that it was a branded yoghurt that saw the worst year-on-year inflation, with Lancashire Farm Natural Yogurt 1kg and Lancashire Farm Fat Free Natural Yogurt 1kg going from £1 to £1.80 - a hike of 80%.
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Meanwhile at Morrisons, Pilgrims Choice Extra Mature Grated Cheddar 180g and Pilgrims Choice Sliced Extra Mature Cheddar 150g both went from £1.20 to £2.11 a hike of 76%.
Sue Davies, Which? head of food policy, said: “The scale of price hikes to some branded products at the supermarket over the last 12 months is barely believable and highlights the huge pressure faced by shoppers, especially families and those on low incomes."
Which? has called on supermarkets to do everything they can to help shoppers, particularly across its convenience stores where prices were often found to be much higher than at its larger stores.
Specifically, Which? has called on chains to incorporate the "Budget Range Benchmark" by prioritising the following areas:
- Wide-ranging - Have a sufficient range of essential budget items on offer that support a healthy diet
- Affordable- Prices that make a real difference to people’s pockets
- Easy to find - Consistently available and easy to spot in store
Sue added: "With food prices expected to remain high for the rest of the year, Which? is calling on supermarkets to ensure expensive convenience stores are stocked with a range of budget items that support a healthy diet - and setting key tests that they can work towards to show they are willing to make a meaningful difference for their customers most in need.”
List of top 25 branded product price increases
- Mr Kipling Chocolate Slices (Tesco) 2022: £1.16 2023: £2.66 difference: 129%
- Mr Kipling Bakewell Cake Slices (Sainsbury's) 2022: £1.38 2023: £2.75 difference: 98.7%
- Lancashire Farm Natural Yogurt 1kg (Asda) 2022: £1 2023: £1.80 difference: 80%
- Lancashire Farm Fat Free Natural Yogurt 1kg (Asda) 2022: £1 2023: £1.80 difference: 80%
- Pilgrims Choice Extra Mature Grated Cheddar 180g (Morrisons) 2022: £1.20 2023: £2.11 difference: 76.4%
- Pilgrims Choice Sliced Extra Mature Cheddar 150g (Morrisons) 2022: £1.20 2023: £2.11 difference: 76.4%
- Dale Farm Skimmed Milke 2 litre (Tesco) 2022: £1 2023: £1.75 difference: 75%
- Quaker Oat so Simpler Original Porridge Pot 60g (Ocado) 2022: 92p 2023: £1.60 difference: 73.2%
- Quaker Oat So Simple Protein Porridge Pot 49g (Ocado) 2022: 92p 2023: £1.60 difference: 73.2%
- Yeo Valley Organic Lemon Curd Yogurt (Morrisons) 2022: £1.25 2023: £2.13 difference: 70.3%
- Yeo Valley Organic Rasberry Yogurt (Morrisons) 2022: £1.25 2023: £2.13 difference: 70.3%
- Yeo Valley Organic Strawberry Yogurt (Morrisons) 2022: £1.25 2023: £2.13 difference: 70.3%
- Tropical Sun American Style Root Beer 330ml 330ml (Tesco) 2022: 50p 2023: 85p difference: 70%
- Quaker Jumbo Rolled Porridge Oats (Tesco) 2022: £1.75 2023: £2.95 difference: 68.6%
- Activia Low Fat Yogurt Rasberry & Chia Seed Muesli 165g (Morrisons) 2022: £1.10 2023: £1.85 difference: 68%
- Quaker Oat So Simple Protein Porridge Pot Golden Syrup 63g (Ocado) 2022: 92p 2023: £1.55 difference: 67.8%
- Activia Vanilla Yogurt with Granola 165g (Morrisons) 2022: £1.11 2023: £1.85 difference: 67.2%
- Tropicana Apple 990ml (Morrisons) 2022: £1.84 2023: £3.05 difference: 65.8%
- Tropicana Extra Juicy 900ml (Morrisons) 2022: £1.84 2023: £3.05 difference: 65.8%
- Tropicana Original Orange Juice with Bits 900ml (Morrisons) 2022: £1.84 2023: £3.05 difference: 65.8%
- Tropicana Smooth Orange Juice 900ml (Morrisons) 2022: £1.84 2023: £3.05 difference: 65.8%
- Danareu Delicatete Hot Dogs 1kg (Morrisons) 2022: £2 2023: £3.29 difference: 64.6%
- Castello Pineapple Halo 125g (Tesco) 2022: £1.30 2023: £2.10 difference: 61.5%
- Najma Bear Delicious Slices of Turkey Sausages x6 (Sainsbury's) 2022: £1.06 2023: £1.70 difference: 60.7%
- Pakeeza Henna Very Low Fat Natural Yogurt 1kg (Tesco) 2022: £1.17 2023: £1.85 difference: 58.5%
In an earlier version of this article, we said Mr Kipling Chocolate Slices six pack at Tesco had increased in price from £1.16 to £1.50. In fact, Which? data said it had increased to £2.66. This figure was correct in the list at the bottom of this article. This article was updated on August 30 to correct this information higher above in the article.