Britons face higher chocolate prices this Christmas, but their festive feast won't break the bank.
Analysts at market research firm Worldpanel have found that chocolate prices in Great Britain rose by 18.4% over the past year, making it more expensive for holiday makers to indulge in sweet treats. This increase is largely due to poor harvests in key cocoa-producing regions such as Ghana and Ivory Coast, which have led to higher costs for manufacturers.
However, while chocolate prices are on the rise, the average cost of a traditional Christmas dinner has taken a hit. The price of a frozen turkey, a staple of many festive feasts, has fallen by 3.6% to £13.52 - the most affordable component of an average Christmas dinner. Additionally, the price of potatoes has decreased slightly, while cranberry sauce and stuffing mix have risen in cost.
Despite these price fluctuations, supermarkets are trying to make up for lost sales through promotional deals and discounts. According to Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Worldpanel, under one-third of all spending on Christmas presents is now being driven by promotions as shoppers seek ways to shield themselves from rising prices.
In other news, the cost of groceries has risen overall, with grocery prices increasing by 4.7% in November. However, many households are finding ways to make their festive celebrations more affordable, such as opting for smaller treats like confectionery Advent calendars.
Supermarkets continue to dominate the UK retail landscape, with Tesco retaining its top spot and sales rising 4.7%. Online shopping is also on the rise, but brick-and-mortar stores remain the most popular place to buy household essentials. The busiest shopping days of the year are expected to be Monday 22 December and Tuesday 23 December, as shoppers take advantage of shorter queues and a more convenient shopping experience.
Analysts at market research firm Worldpanel have found that chocolate prices in Great Britain rose by 18.4% over the past year, making it more expensive for holiday makers to indulge in sweet treats. This increase is largely due to poor harvests in key cocoa-producing regions such as Ghana and Ivory Coast, which have led to higher costs for manufacturers.
However, while chocolate prices are on the rise, the average cost of a traditional Christmas dinner has taken a hit. The price of a frozen turkey, a staple of many festive feasts, has fallen by 3.6% to £13.52 - the most affordable component of an average Christmas dinner. Additionally, the price of potatoes has decreased slightly, while cranberry sauce and stuffing mix have risen in cost.
Despite these price fluctuations, supermarkets are trying to make up for lost sales through promotional deals and discounts. According to Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Worldpanel, under one-third of all spending on Christmas presents is now being driven by promotions as shoppers seek ways to shield themselves from rising prices.
In other news, the cost of groceries has risen overall, with grocery prices increasing by 4.7% in November. However, many households are finding ways to make their festive celebrations more affordable, such as opting for smaller treats like confectionery Advent calendars.
Supermarkets continue to dominate the UK retail landscape, with Tesco retaining its top spot and sales rising 4.7%. Online shopping is also on the rise, but brick-and-mortar stores remain the most popular place to buy household essentials. The busiest shopping days of the year are expected to be Monday 22 December and Tuesday 23 December, as shoppers take advantage of shorter queues and a more convenient shopping experience.
i think its kinda cool that brits are finding ways to save money on christmas dinner despite chocolate prices goin up lol the fact that turkey is actually cheaper now is like, win! i mean dont get me wrong, who doesnt love a good discount 
but im just saying, theres more to christmas than just expensive presents and food. plus supermarkets r tryin to make a buck by throwin in some promos and discounts 
so really its all about findin the best deals u can 
. But seriously, it's not all good news - those poor Brits with a sweet tooth are getting hit hard by rising chocolate prices 
At least the turkey and potatoes are being kinder to our wallets this year 
. But hey, if people want to splurge on Christmas dinner, that's their prerogative...just be aware of your spending 
.
I'm not surprised to hear that chocolate prices are going up this Christmas 
. I mean, it's not like we Brits don't love our chocolate too much! 
But seriously, 18.4% is a pretty big increase. Hopefully, people will be able to find ways to make their festive feasts a little more affordable, like opting for smaller treats or making some of the food themselves 
. And yay for turkey prices dropping by 3.6%! That's definitely a nice Christmas cracker 
. I think it's great that people are finding ways to make their celebrations more affordable, like confectionery Advent calendars 
. and don't even get me started on the environmental impact of all those discounted goods... we need to rethink what 'affordable' really means, you know? 
18.4% increase in just one year? that's crazy! i mean, i love chocolate as much as the next person, but it's just not worth breaking the bank over 
but what's wild is that the turkey price has actually dropped 
anyway, I guess supermarkets are trying to make up for lost sales with discounts and promotions 
& online shopping is getting more popular but i'm good with my ol' high street faves 
. On one hand, it's heartening to see that traditional Christmas dinners are becoming more affordable - there's something special about a budget-friendly turkey and potatoes on the menu