When Greens Get Fancy (and Pricier)
It turns out that the supermarket’s time‑of‑year bargain game has left our leafy companions looking a bit like cats in a lounge chair – all out of pocket. According to finance gurus from RIFT, Meat‑Free Sausages took the crown for the steepest price jump, with Veggie Burgers also strutting their stuff in the top ten, side‑by‑side with a whole squad of fruits and veggies.
What’s Really Costing Us?
RIFT sifted through the Office for National Statistics data, tracking 156 everyday grocery staples and how their prices have swayed over recent months. The goal? Help you decide which bakers’ dozen items you can ditch to keep your wallet from crying.
- Meat‑Free Sausage – +37% (our favourite “butcher‑free” treat)
- Veggie Burger – +30% (the fast‑food plant‑power contender)
- Chicories, Nuts & Citrus – +15% (strawberry, carrot, and tomato tango)
- Bell Peppers, Avocado, and Spinach— keep an eye on the “green” market
Bottom Line for Your Cart
Despite the maze of rising costs, there’s a silver lining: on average, the average checkout price dipped by 0.7% over the last month – so what you pay for a loaf of bread is a tad cheaper now than before. However, if you compare your bag to last year’s, you’re still outspending by 3.9% per item, roughly 20p more for every product. In other words, it’s not all bad news – but our baskets are definitely heavier on the wallet side.
Tough time to be a vegetarian
Price Surge Pizzazz: When Veggies and Varnish Get Expensive
According to the latest RIFT analysis, the grocery aisle is looking a lot more like a luxury boutique than the place it used to be. The past month alone has seen a sharp 11.9% jump for meat‑free sausages—talk about the “not‑but‑still‑good” rating! And if you’re a fan of zero‑dairy delights, don’t breathe a sigh of relief: dairy‑free margarine and frozen veggie burgers have each climbed 6.7% in price.
Top Ten Price Hikes (and the Kids Who Joined The Party)
- Meat‑free sausages – 11.9% – The “you’re buying a carnivore, but it’s better for the planet” thingy.
- Dairy‑free margarine – 6.7% – Because butter’s going quiet.
- Frozen veggie burgers – 6.7% – Your “green” meals just got greener in cost.
- Flavoured water – 7.9% – Hydration with an extra splash of fancy.
- Potatoes – 8.1% – In a way, the humble spud turns into a luxury item.
- Iceberg lettuce – 6.2% – Green light now comes with a price tag.
- Instant coffee – 6% – Your daily brew is going to cost you a bit more perk.
- Grapefruit – 5.4% – The citrus that’s now a little “refined.”
- Plums – 5% – Sweet, juicy, and slightly more expensive.
- Melons – 4.6% – Sweetness, now a little costlier than before.
It looks like the grocery store’s “low‑cost” section is getting a makeover. So if the next time you’re on the market you see a price tag that feels more like a luxury shopping pass than a supermarket tag, remember: you’re part of this pricing rave. Happy shopping—and maybe keep a few extra bucks in your pantry for the unexpected veggie sing‑song!
Cheese boards take a hit with biggest price hikes year on year
Supermarket Price Hikes: Olive Oil Takes the Spotlight
Did you find yourself staring at the price of your favourite bottle of olive oil, wondering how it suddenly feels heavier in the pocket? You’re not alone. This year, the little golden elixir has shot up a staggering 39.4% – over a £2 jump – making it the star of the price‑increase show.
What’s Driving the Prices Up?
The world isn’t all sunshine and rainbows for grocery budgets. Inflation may be easing, but the cost of many everyday staples is still climbing higher than it was last year. It’s a pickle when your budget’s already squeezed from the top.
Top 10 Hottest Price Hikes
- Olive Oil – +39.4% (the king of the hill)
- Plumbs – +23.7%
- Hot Chocolate – +22.3%
- Carrots – +21.9%
- Fortified Wine (for pairings) – +18.3%
- Vegetable Pickle – +18.2%
- Sugar – +17.8%
- Plain Biscuits – +15.5%
- Couscous – +14.3%
- Bananas – +13.5%
Cheese Lovers Hold Your Horses
Cracking the news that cheese itself stays out of the top 10? That’s a relief, but the accessories that go along with a cheese board are throwing a bit of a tantrum. Drinks and pickle dips are costing more now, and the extra cost will add up by the time you’re pushing the cart back to the checkout.
Veggie Items Raising the Bar
Vegetarians, be warned: the meat-free sausages and veggie burgers have seen some of the biggest jumps over the last month, right when BBQ season is creeping up. It’s a reminder that even plant‑based options can feel pricey.
The Reality at the Checkout
It might seem like a slice or two of price hikes here and there, but they’re all piling on – the total impact on the average household can’t be ignored. That’s why savvy shoppers need to stay on their toes, hunting for deals and making smart choices in the aisles.
Get the Best Bang for Your Buck: Keep an eye on your grocery list, use loyalty cards, and shop when your favourite items are on sale. Every little saving adds up and can stretch your budget further.
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