A survey by Who? looked at 79 branded products, comparing prices at six major supermarkets (Asda, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose) over a 30-day period from 21 September to 20 October in both 2020 and 2022. Aldi and Lidl were not included in the study because they did not have enough comparable data. The last one about the cost of living Of the items on their shopping list, Heinz Tomato Ketchup – from top to bottom (460g) – saw the biggest average percentage increase overall, rising 53% (91p) across the six retailers. However, in one retailer it had risen by as much as 70% to £1.06. The second largest average percentage increase in branded products listed in Who? was Dolmio lasagna sauce (470g), which increased by 47% or 61 p.m. in six supermarkets in two years. In one supermarket, the price rose by as much as 107% – or £1.09. One of the biggest leaps was made with branded butter. Anchor Spreadable butter tub 500g increased by £1.31 (45%) on average across all six supermarkets over the two year period. Meanwhile, Lurpak 500g bath salts saw an average increase of £1.17 (35%). The spread hit the headlines earlier this year after a packet was found to cost more than £7 in some supermarkets. Twinings of London Everyday 100 Tea Bags had the steepest individual increase in absolute prices in a supermarket – an extra £2.33 (64%) in 2022 compared to the base price in 2020. Across the six retailers tea bags increased on average 64 p ( 17%). But branded products aren’t the only ones seeing price rises – the price of low-cost everyday products rose 17% in the 12 months to September, more than the average rate of food and drink inflation. The figures, based on supermarket data compiled online for 30 everyday grocery items, showed the cost of the items had already risen by 7% in the year to April. In the past year, tea has grown by 46%, crisps by 39%, bread by 38%, and biscuits by 34%. Overall, grocery inflation is at 14%, with households facing a £643 rise in their average annual bill. Sue Davies, who? Head of Food Policy, said: “Our research shows the shocking rate of inflation in some of the country’s favorite branded foods, which is well above the national average and underlines why it is so important for retailers to give people the option selection of product lines. “Supermarkets need to ensure that budget funds for healthy and affordable essentials are widely available in all their stores, including smaller stores. Offers need to target those most in need and support individuals so that they can easily compare product prices to get the best value.” Read more about the cost of living: Kate Winslet covers £17,000 energy bills for Scottish mum Tackling childhood cancer in a cost-of-living crisis Price of a pint rises 9% in a year It comes as evidence emerged last month that millions of households are skipping meals or struggling to put healthy food on the table. Around 85% of people in the UK are spending less on food shopping as a result of the cost of living squeeze, usually looking for items on sale, research by consumer group Which? suggests. Among the 9% who said they were finding it “very difficult” to make ends meet, half said their household skipped meals, as did a quarter of those who found the current situation quite difficult. The 30 branded products with the biggest price increases: Heinz Tomato Ketchup Sauce – Top Down 460g (53%) Dolmio lasagna sauce 470g (47%) Heinz Classic Cream Of Chicken Soup 400g (46%) Dolmio Bolognese original pasta sauce 500g (46%) Ankara Spreadable Butter Tub 500g (45%) Heinz Cream Of 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 Granary whole grain 800g (43%) Sharwoods Butter Chicken Sauce X 420g (39%) Cravendale semi-skimmed milk 1000ml (38%) Sharwoods Balti Sauce 420g (38%) Sharwoods Korma Sauce 420g (38%) Lurpak Lightly Salted Bath Spread 500g (35%) Hellmann’s Real Squeezy Mayonnaise 750ml (35%) Muller Corner Vanilla & Banana Chocolate Balls & Flakes 6x130g 780g (34%) McCain Home Chips Straight Cut 1000g (34%) Birds Eye 10 Original Potato Waffles 567g (33%) Green Giant Salt No Natural Sweetener Sweet corn 198g (30%) Dr. Oetker Ristorante Mozzarella Pizza 335g (30%) Birds Eye Frozen Garden Peas 375g (28%) Cathedral City Extra Mature 350g (26%) Walkers Cheese & Onion Crisps 6X25g 150g (26%) Pukka Pies All Steak Pie 209g (26%) Magnum almond ice cream 4 x 100ml 400ml (26%) Hovis Soft White Coarse Bread 800g (24%) McVities Biscuits Ginger Nuts 250g (22%) Hovis Soft White Medium Bread Bread 800g (22%) Cif Power And Shine Bathroom Cleaner Spray 700ml (22%)
