To keep tabs on exactly how much inflation has changed prices, one mum decided to compare her Tesco shopping to three years ago.
Parents Editor at the MEN, Emma Gill, undertook an extreme analysis of price hikes over the last three years in particular - by comparing the exact same grocery shop from January 2020 in January 2023.
And when it came down to it, Emma was absolutely baffled by how much some of Tesco's items had gone up by.
Read more: Tesco looks set to axe remaining food counters in 279 stores
The Mirror reports that publishing her findings, Emma wrote: "Shockingly almost half of the 43 products have gone up by 50% or more, with the biggest hike being Tesco's angel cake, up from 62p to £1.60 - a 158% increase. Other big increases include Soreen malt loaf, up from 60p to £1.40 (133.3%), Pitch chocolate bread's up from 75p to £1.50 (100%) and Tesco vanilla cheesecake, up from £2 to £3.90 (95%)."
Last week, Tesco was revealed as more expensive than a host of other supermarkets for basic items such as milk, bread, coffee, tea bags, and butter. Some everyday items, however, appear to have gone up across most of the leading supermarkets.
"It's quite worrying to see how much essentials like milk have gone up - with a four-pint bottle of skimmed up 50% from £1.10 to £1.65 - the price most supermarkets are selling it for now," Emma added.
"As for the four-pack of Heinz Beanz, it's depressing to see the family favourite has risen from £2.50 to £3.99. And you'll now pay a whopping £2 for a single tin of Heinz Spaghetti & Sausages, which are up 60%.
"Even if you take advantage of the 3 for £5 Clubcard offer, it's still £1.66 a tin, compared with £1.25."
Emma went on to explain that a total of 36 out of the 44 products bought have gone up since 2020, with three staying the same and just four reduced in price. She added: "The reductions on the four costing less - potatoes, carrots, garlic flatbread and ham - are all due to either 'Aldi price match' or the retailer's Clubcard."
Emma pointed out that these increases: "represent a 35% hike overall, with the bill rising from £63.27 in 2020, to £85.44 this week".
"In the last year alone the bill has risen by 11% - and shoppers are being warned that we're not out of the woods yet."
Tesco announced a new price-lock commitment earlier this month, freezing the prices of more than 1,000 everyday products until Easter.
The supermarket insists that with its Aldi Price Match, Clubcard, and Low Everyday Prices initiatives, it has "significantly increased the number of value lines" it sells. A spokesperson for Tesco, said: “With household budgets under increasing pressure we are absolutely committed to helping our customers, by keeping a laser focus on the cost of the weekly shop.
“So whether it’s price matching Aldi on the basics, locking the price of more than a thousand household staples until Easter 2023, or offering exclusive deals and rewards through thousands of Clubcard Prices – we’re more committed than ever to providing our customers with great value.”
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