Revealed: Shopping cart essentials DOUBLE in a year as the cost of living crisis continues to hit UK families
- Petit Filous yogurt drinks and house brand table salt have both doubled in price
- Crisp ‘N Dry canola oil is up 80 percent in a year as consumers bite
- Nearly half of the largest percentage increases were own label
Groceries prices are rising by a record ten percent compared to last year, but some items have doubled in price, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Heinz came under fire last month for increasing favorites like beans and soup by as much as 40 percent, but these were thought to be extreme examples.
This latest research for Assosia’s MoS, which monitors prices in the Big Four supermarkets, shows that more than 120 of the most popular branded and private label products have increased by at least that amount compared to a year ago.
Petits Filous yogurt drinks and supermarket own-brand table salt are both up 100 percent, and Crisp ‘N Dry canola oil up 80 percent.
Private label price increases have traditionally been constrained by supermarkets as they compete to outperform rivals in value
A 200g can of Heinz beans and sausages is up 73 percent from 70p to £1.21. The 51p increase is more than what shoppers paid for the product a few years ago.
Price increases on private label products have traditionally been constrained by supermarkets as they try to outperform their competitors in value. But almost half of the largest percentage increases were own label.
Experts point out that this is partly because they cost much less in the first place, so the same increase in pence equates to a larger percentage increase.
Nevertheless, for families battling prices that rise faster than wages, it leaves them little wiggle room.
Private label pasta features prominently among items that have increased by more than 40 percent – different shapes and sizes make up 16 of the 121 items. Typically, 500g packs, such as spaghetti and penne, have increased by 30p – from about 53p to 83p, or 57 percent. Brands like Napolina are also increasing by a similar amount.
Helen Morrissey, an analyst at wealth management firm Hargreaves Lansdown, said: ‘Groceries prices have risen, but even this hides the even more obscure truth that the cost of some essential items has risen much faster than others.
‘Oil, pasta, milk and margarine have risen by staggering amounts and – although you may not even notice a few pence or a pound here and there – the cost of a weekly shop is really adding up.
‘We see that more and more people want to cut costs by going to cheaper supermarkets and switching to their own brands. While they may be cheaper, the cost of these also goes up.
‘It is especially difficult for people with a low income right now.’