As the festive season reaches full swing, British households are on the hunt for the best deals to stock up on Christmas essentials, with classic chocolate selection boxes topping many shopping lists. New research has pinpointed exactly where shoppers can find the lowest prices for the nation's favourite festive tubs, from Quality Street to Celebrations.
The Nation's Favourite Festive Chocolate
Data from the online retailer Britsuperstore highlights the enduring popularity of these sweet treats. In 2022, Quality Street emerged as Britain's most searched-for chocolate box, with an impressive 89,529 online searches. Celebrations followed with 49,132 searches, while Roses secured third place with 31,070. Heroes placed fourth, garnering 28,256 searches.
The debate over which tub reigns supreme is a festive tradition in itself. On forums like Reddit, opinions are fiercely divided. One chocolate lover declared: "Mine is definitely Quality Street (I love strawberry creme) or celebrations (Maltesers and Galaxy carry this), overall Roses is just worse Quality Street and Heroes taste disgusting."
Another commenter offered a different perspective, noting: "Heroes is the only tub which I like all of them. Celebrations are terrible. Quality Street and Roses are ok but I only really enjoy a couple of the flavours." This annual discussion underscores the personal preferences that drive supermarket choices every December.
Supermarket Price Comparison for Chocolate Tubs
Our analysis covers major retailers including Asda, Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury's, Aldi, and Lidl. The prices reveal a significant variation, with loyalty cards often unlocking the very best deals.
At Asda, shoppers will find Heroes and Roses priced at £4.92 each, while Celebrations and Quality Street are both £4.42. This makes Asda a strong contender for upfront value without the need for a loyalty card.
Morrisons lists all four major tubs at £7 each. However, customers with a Morrisons More Card can bring the price down to £5.50 per tub, offering a substantial saving.
Tesco and Sainsbury's operate on a similar model, with higher standard prices but deeper discounts for cardholders. At Tesco, Heroes and Roses are £7 (or £5.25 with a Clubcard), while Celebrations and Quality Street are £6 (or just £3.95 with a Clubcard). Sainsbury's prices all tubs at £7 standard, but Nectar cardholders can buy Heroes and Roses for £4.50, and Celebrations or Quality Street for a mere £3.95.
The discounters also have compelling offers. Aldi is selling Heroes for £4.89 and Quality Street for £4.39. Lidl has Celebrations and Quality Street both priced at £4.39.
How to Get the Best Chocolate Deal This Christmas
The key takeaway for savvy shoppers is that the cheapest supermarket depends on the specific tub and whether you have a relevant loyalty card. For those buying Heroes or Roses, Asda currently offers the best upfront price at £4.92.
However, for Celebrations or Quality Street, the deepest discounts are found with loyalty schemes. Sainsbury's Nectar card and Tesco Clubcard holders can purchase these tubs for just £3.95, beating even the discount supermarkets' prices.
It is worth noting that neither Marks and Spencer nor Waitrose stock the traditional large tubs on their websites. Both retailers instead offer smaller pouch-sized packets and alternative festive chocolate selections, with prices generally ranging from £4 to £10.
With Christmas Day fast approaching, comparing these prices before you shop can lead to meaningful savings, leaving more in your budget for other festive essentials. Whether your allegiance lies with the purple one or the green triangle, a little research ensures your favourite chocolates don't cost more than they should.
