A trip to the supermarket for a classic tin of Christmas chocolates has delivered a festive shock for many shoppers, with prices for some favourites reaching eye-watering new heights.
The Sticker Price Shock
During a recent visit to Sainsbury's, a journalist was horrified to discover that the traditional 700g tins of Cadbury Roses and Cadbury Heroes were on sale for £16.50 each. This is a far cry from the days when a festive tin could be expected to cost around a fiver. The only relief offered was a Nectar card price of £10, which was still deemed steep.
Comparing the Christmas Chocolate Aisles
While the premium tins commanded a high price, Sainsbury's did offer other options. A Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate Mixed Chunks Tin (600g) was priced at £9.59 (£6.50 with Nectar), and a 750g tin of Quality Street was £13 (£8.50 with Nectar). Smaller 500-550g tubs of Celebrations, Heroes, and Quality Street were available for £6.
However, the real bargains appear to lie elsewhere. At Tesco, the same 500-550g Celebrations and Quality Street tubs are just £3.95 with a Clubcard (normally £4.50). Even more strikingly, the 700g tin of Heroes priced at £16.50 in Sainsbury's is only £7.50 with a Clubcard at Tesco, though its normal price there is £15.
Where to Find the Best Deals
A broader look across UK supermarkets reveals a significant price disparity for these seasonal treats. Recent research shows that standard tubs of Heroes, Roses, and Celebrations are all currently under £5 at Asda. Morrisons is selling them for £7, or £5.50 with a Morrisons More Card.
Discounters Aldi and Lidl are also reportedly selling similar tubs for under £5. Neither Marks and Spencer nor Waitrose list the traditional large tubs on their websites, instead offering smaller pouches and alternative chocolates priced between £4 and £10.
The message for cost-conscious consumers this Christmas is clear: shop around. Loyalty cards can unlock significant savings, and a trip to a different supermarket could halve the cost of your festive chocolate centrepiece.
