UK households are feeling the pinch as grocery bills reach unprecedented levels, with many families reporting that their weekly shop now costs significantly more than just a few years ago. Readers have shared their shock at supermarket prices, describing how they are forced to cut back on branded goods and switch to cheaper alternatives to balance their budgets.
Nikki, a mother of two from Aberdeenshire, says her weekly shop has risen from £135 before 2020 to over £220. She has two children with coeliac disease, requiring expensive gluten-free products. 'Food prices are ridiculous, but it's the fact they are still rising that is keeping me awake at night,' she said.
Other readers report similar experiences. Karen posted a photo of her Aldi shop costing £98, up from £70 six months ago, which went viral on social media. Chris, a stay-at-home father from Manchester, now spends £110-£120 for a family of five, compared with £90 previously. He buys mostly own-brand items but says toiletries and pet food remain costly.
Official data shows food price inflation eased to 4.5% in September, down from 5.1% in August, but prices remain 30% higher than in 2022. The Food Foundation charity reports that one in seven UK households with children struggle to afford food, with many cutting back on fruit and vegetables.
Stacey, a teaching assistant from Norfolk, struggles to keep her weekly shop below £100, up £40 since lockdown. She has switched from beef to pork mince to save money. Others are dropping branded items like Heinz baked beans and ready meals from their shopping lists due to high costs.
