Some of the UK’s most popular branded foods have soared in the past two years – with a range of items now costing double, according to new research.
An investigation by whom? looked at 79 branded items, comparing prices across six major supermarkets (Asda, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose) over a 30-day period from September 21 to October 20 in 2020 and 2022.
Aldi and Lidl were not included in the study because they did not have enough comparable articles.
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Of the items on their shopping list, Heinz Tomato Ketchup – top to bottom (460g) – saw the largest average percentage increase overall, rising 53% (91p) across all six retailers.
However, at one retailer it had risen by 70%, an increase of £1.06.
The second largest average percentage increase in branded products included in Which? relates to the Dolmio lasagna sauce (470g), which increased by 47% or 61 pence in the six supermarkets over the two years.
In a supermarket, the price rose by 107% to £1.09.
One of the biggest leaps was with branded butter. The 500g jar of Anchor Spreadable Butter rose by £1.31 (45%) on average across the six supermarkets over the two-year period.
Meanwhile, Lurpak Spreadable Lightly Salted 500g jar saw an average increase of £1.17 (35%).
The spread made headlines earlier this year after it was discovered that a packet cost over £7 in some supermarkets.
Twinings of London Everyday 100 Tea Bags saw the largest individual increase in absolute terms in a supermarket – an additional £2.33 (64%) in 2022 over the base price in 2020. Across all six retailers, tea bags increased by an average of 64p (17%).
But branded goods aren’t the only ones seeing price increases: the price of low-cost staples rose 17% in the 12 months to September, more than the rate food and beverage inflation average.
The figures, based on supermarket data collected from the web for 30 everyday grocery items, showed the cost of items had already increased by 7% in the year to April.
Over the past year, tea has grown by 46%, crisps by 39%, bread by 38% and biscuits by 34%.
Overall grocery inflation is at 14% as households face a £643 increase in their average annual bill.
Sue Davies, which one? The food policy chief said: “Our research shows the shocking inflation rate of some of the country’s favorite branded foods, which is well above the national average, and underlines why it is so important for food retailers. ‘offering people a choice of product lines.
“Supermarkets need to ensure budget lines for healthy and affordable essentials are widely available in their stores, including small convenience stores. Promotions need to be targeted to those most in need and supported so that ‘they can easily compare the price of products to get the best value.’
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This comes from data found last month that millions of households were skipping meals or struggle to put healthy foods on the table.
Around 85% of people in the UK are spending less on food shopping thanks to Cost of life hurry, most often by searching for promotional items, by searching by consumer group Which? suggests.
Of the 9% who say they find it ‘very difficult’ to cope, half say their household skips meals, as do a quarter of those who find the current situation quite difficult.
The 30 branded products with the biggest price increases:
Heinz Ketchup Tomato Sauce – Top Down 460g (53%)
Dolmio Lasagna Sauce 470g (47%)
Heinz Classic Cream of Chicken Soup 400g (46%)
Original Dolmio bolognese pasta sauce 500g (46%)
Anchor Spreadable Butter 500g (45%)
Heinz Tomato Soup 400g (44%)
Colman’s Classic Mint Sauce 165g (44%)
Colman’s horseradish sauce 136g (44%)
Batchelors Super Noodles Bbq Beef Flavor 90g (43%)
Hovis Grenier Complete 800g (43%)
Sharwoods X Butter Chicken Stew Sauce 420g (39%)
Cravendale Semi-skimmed milk 1000ml (38%)
Sharwoods Balti Cooking Sauce 420g (38%)
Sharwoods Korma Sauce 420g (38%)
Lurpak Spread Lightly Salted Jar 500g (35%)
Hellmann’s Real Squeezy Mayonnaise 750ml (35%)
Muller Corner Vanilla & Banana Balls & Chocolate Flakes 6x130g 780g (34%)
McCain Home Chips Straight Cut 1000g (34%)
Birds Eye 10 Original Potato Waffles 567g (33%)
Green Giant Naturally Sweet Salt Free Sweet Corn 198g (30%)
Dr. Oetker Ristorante Mozzarella Pizza 335g (30%)
Birds Eye frozen peas 375g (28%)
Cathedral City Extra Mature 350g (26%)
Walkers Cheese & Onion Chips 6X25g 150g (26%)
Pukka Pies All Steak Pie 209g (26%)
Magnum Almond Ice Cream 4 x 100ml 400ml (26%)
Hovis Soft White Thick Bread 800g (24%)
McVities Ginger Nut Cookies 250g (22%)
Hovis Soft White Medium Bread 800g (22%)
Cif Power And Shine Bathroom Cleaner Spray 700ml (22%)
