Greggs Faces Festive Backlash Over Mince Pie Price Surge
Popular bakery chain Greggs has ignited customer anger after implementing a significant price increase on its seasonal mince pies, just as the Christmas period approaches. The cost of the festive treat has risen sharply compared to last year, leaving many regular shoppers feeling disgruntled.
The Steep Rise in Cost
Investigation has revealed that Greggs has quietly increased the price of a single mince pie from 65p to 80p. This represents a price jump of almost 25% since the last Christmas season. The price rise was first uncovered by The Sun, which compared prices in Greggs shops across several locations including Doncaster, Middlesbrough, Glasgow, and Tiverton in Devon.
In some branches, particularly those in London, the inflation is even more pronounced. Certain shops have hiked the price from 80p to a hefty 95p per pie. This has not gone unnoticed by the chain's loyal customer base, many of whom have taken to social media to voice their frustration.
Customer Outcry and Broader Price Changes
On Facebook, one person directly accused the bakery, stating "Greggs are getting greedy." Another expressed a wider sentiment of discontent, commenting "We can’t have anything nice in this country." The Mirror has contacted Greggs for an official comment on the matter.
This is not an isolated incident for the high street baker. The mince pie controversy follows other recent price adjustments. Last month, the cost of the popular two-part breakfast deal, which includes a roll and a drink, was raised from £2.95 to £3.15. Similarly, the three-part breakfast deal, adding a side like a yoghurt pot or hash brown, increased from £3.95 to £4.15.
Other baked goods have also seen incremental rises. The empire biscuit, for example, went up by 5p. Earlier this year, Greggs also increased the price of its iconic sausage roll by 5p, bringing it to £1.30.
Greggs' Defence and Political Plea
Following last month's breakfast price increases, Greggs Chief Executive Roisin Currie defended the chain's position. She asserted that despite the changes, Greggs "still offers exceptional value" to its customers.
Ms Currie also used the opportunity to address the government, specifically urging the Labour party to avoid any "surprises" in the upcoming autumn Budget scheduled for November 26. She highlighted that the previously announced higher rate of employer National Insurance, combined with an increased minimum wage, has placed significant pressure on the company's operating costs.
"I guess what’s not helpful is when it’s something that comes out that surprises us and that’s what happened with the national insurance last year," Ms Currie explained. "It’s quite hard to plan and manage a business when you have a £20 million hit that you hadn’t predicted." She expressed a hope that business owners would receive "reasonable notice" over any future fiscal changes.
Despite these cost pressures, Greggs continues its expansion across the UK. The chain, which operates over 2,600 shops, recently adjusted its annual net new opening target to 120. It has been actively opening new locations within Tesco and Sainsbury's supermarkets and relocating smaller shops to better sites as part of its ongoing growth strategy.
