With the cost of a weekly shop seemingly hiking by the day, The Mirror writer Danielle Kate Wroe put to the test quite how much supermarket prices have risen over the past three months. To assess exactly how much the cost of living is impacting weekly spending, Danielle tracked the cost of her weekly shop and see just how much it would fluctuate.
To ensure absolute accuracy and a fair comparison, she bought the exact same items every week, with her trolley comprised of basic goods that most people regularly purchase.
As of January 18, the Which? inflation tracker showed that supermarket food prices have risen up to 30% on a yearly basis. The tracker takes data from Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons (where she shops), Ocado, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose, and showed overall food and drink inflation in December was at 15%, which means it has only risen further.
Lidl prices went up the most at 21.1% in December, followed closely by Aldi at 20.8% - although Which? says both supermarkets are still cheaper overall compared to other stores. At Asda, prices rose by a significant 15.4%. Inflation rose slightly less at Waitrose at 14.5%, followed by Sainsbury's at 13.7%, Tesco at 13.1%, Morrisons 12.9%, and Ocado at 10.5%.
Charlotte noticed prices change on particular items in her shop over the months, with some particularly large. She mapped the cost of a week's worth of food each month to analyse how much prices changed over the three-month period.
Month one - November
November was the first she'd bought all the products together, so she had no comparison point to refer to - just curiosity about what was costing so much. Below is how much all the items cost Charlotte in her shopping list:
- Four pints of milk - £1.55
- Chocolate digestives - £0.85p
- Five bananas - £0.69p
- Extra virgin oil - £5.55
- Carrots - £0.35p
- Bread - £1.30
- Spaghetti - £0.30p
- Lurpak (500g) - £4.99
- Steak mince (300g) - £2.89
- Whole chicken (large) - £4.59
= £23.56 a week
Month two - December
- Four pints of milk - £1.65
- Chocolate digestives - £0.85p
- Five bananas - £0.68p
- Extra virgin oil - £5.55
- Carrots - £0.35p
- Bread - £1.30
- Spaghetti - £0.30p
- Lurpak (500g) - £2.99
- Steak mince (300g) - £2.89
- Whole chicken (large) - £4.99
= £21.55 a week
In comparison with the November shop, the overall cost had dropped by 8%, which she says was a shock, but ultimately a relief.
"I had hope that there would be a downward trajectory from this point onward when it came to my food shopping. This month, I noticed that milk had gone up 6.4%, which has now been backed by the Which? data. Lurpak had decreased in price by 40% which was a welcome relief to me, and I'm sure many other consumers."
"I did notice that the chicken had risen 8.7% though, but I put that down to the fact that Avian flu had been an issue for farmers - hence why many supermarkets were choosing to ration eggs as well. Overall, the price was down on the previous month, however, which I was pleased about."
Month three - January 2023
- Four pints of milk - £1.65
- Chocolate digestives - £0.85p
- Five bananas - 0.57p
- Extra virgin oil - £7.49
- Carrots - £0.35p
- Bread - £1.30
- Spaghetti - £0.28p
- Lurpak (500g) - £2.99
- Steak mince (300g) - £2.89
- Whole chicken (large) - £5.29
= £23.66 a week
The price fall did not prolong unfortunately, with the January shop 9.7% up on December's.
Charlotte said: "This was especially concerning to me - especially as January feels like such a long month as we're on a post-Christmas comedown, and payday feels so far away. This month, I noticed that the spaghetti had been reduced by 2p, as it was on a 'special offer' - but as the old saying goes, 'look after the pennies, and the pounds will look after themselves'!
"The chicken, however, had gone up yet again by another 6%. As a staple in my weekly food shop, it was worrying to see a meat that was once far cheaper rise consistently in price.
"The most staggering change, however, was the extra virgin oil. More than any other product, I've always liked to splash out a little bit when it comes to my oil, but if the prices keep increasing in this way, I may have to find an alternative. It increased by a huge 35%."
"This shop was 10p more expensive than in November, and the prices of some individual items had changed significantly within the shop."
The differences
Charlotte calculated the difference in inflation between November and January to assess which items were costing consumers more for her particular shop - and whether some things had decreased.
Charlotte explained on her purchases: "Some basics have stayed the same price throughout the months, which is great, but what is most concerning is the sharp increase in other things you may just throw into your trolley without thinking."
Sue Davies, Which? Head of Food Policy, said: "We know food prices have risen exponentially in the last year and our inflation tracker shows the dramatic impact this is having on everyday products at the supermarket.
"Some households are already skipping meals to make ends meet and our findings show trust in supermarkets taking a hit as many people worry they are putting profits before the people suffering during this cost of living crisis.
"Supermarkets must do more, Which? is calling for them to ensure everyone has easy access to basic, affordable food ranges at a store near them, particularly in areas where people are most in need."
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea.
Find recommendations for eating out, attractions and events near you here on our sister website 2Chill
Find recommendations for dog owners and more doggy stories on our sister site Teamdogs
