Pret A Manger’s coffee price hike: the biggest jump on the high street
Think you’re getting a good deal when you grab a coffee at Pret A Manger? Think again. Researchers from AltIndex have shown that since January 2019 the prices of the chain’s most popular drinks have surged by a whopping £1.24 on average. That means your morning latte could cost almost two extra pounds compared to five years ago.
In a surprise move, Pret lowered the price of its filter coffee to a humble 99p – the cheapest single‑serve on the market. But that concession is shrouded by a wave of price increases across the rest of the menu, and there’s no hint that the trend will slow.
AltIndex’s study examined the top seven drinks – tea, americano, cappuccino, flat white, latte, single espresso and hot chocolate – at the five biggest UK coffee chains: Starbucks, Pret A Manger, Costa Coffee, Caffè Nero, and Greggs. Here’s what the data revealed.
How much do our beloved drinks cost now?
- Pret A Manger: Americanos up by a staggering £1.41 (≈ 42% jump). They’re the biggest losers in the price‑inflation battle.
- Caffè Nero: Average rise of £0.94 (≈ 39%). Second place in the “most expensive” club.
- Costa Coffee: £0.91 increase (≈ 38%). Pretty close to NERO – no surprise, both are big‑shot chains.
- Starbucks: Only a 25% hike, adding £0.57 on average. Surprisingly the cheapest of the big names when it comes to standard drinks.
- Greggs: Only a 7% increase overall, but noted a few items – like their beloved sausage rolls – went up 5p–10p.
Hot chocolate is the most expensive of them all, currently sitting at an average of £3.38. If you’re a chocoholics, that’s a price to be aware of.
Pret’s counter‑argument
A Pret spokesperson slammed the study as “misleading,” pointing out that customers who opt in for the Club Pret subscription save massively. The subscription, launched in 2020, offers a discount that can save a regular lattes’‑loving customer over £60 a month. It even excludes the absolute bargain: that 99p filter coffee.
So, the truth? Prices are up, but if you’re a savvy coffee‑fan with the right subscription, you might still be getting a great deal.
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