'Prices of big-branded food items rising five times faster than own-label products'

Prices of big-branded food items are rising about five times faster than own-label products, stated a recent report, highlighting the gap in the price rise across the aisles with the cost of some consumer staples up by 33 per cent in the last year.

While inflation is at 9.1 per cent, the cost of many consumer favourites has risen much faster, The Telegraph reported on Saturday (9) citing a new analysis.

According to the analyst Trolley.co.uk, Lurpak butter’s cost has increased by 33 per cent to £4.50 compared with June last year - more than three times the rate of inflation. However, supermarkets are reportedly increasing their prices much more slowly on their in-house ranges, stated the report.

After a social media outage over the exorbitant price rise, Arla Foods, which owns Lurpak, said prices for the “feed, fertiliser and fuel farmers need to produce milk” had risen significantly in recent months.

Citing other examples, the report pointed out how the price of Happy Eggs’ pack of six large free-range eggs has increased by 12 per cent to £1.91 while an own-brand pack of six eggs at Waitrose has remained the same at £1. Noble Foods, producers of Happy Eggs, said retailers were responsible for setting the prices of its products.

A two-litre bottle of Irn Bru has risen by 20 per cent to £1.50 but Asda’s own-brand “Iron Brew” has risen by just 15 per cent to 60p, stated the report, adding another similar price rise gap in Pampers “baby-dry” nappies and a supermarket’s own-label nappies.

Rocio Concha, of the consumer group Which?, called on big brands to better protect their customers from the worst cost of living crisis in a generation.

“Supermarkets and manufacturers should provide clear unit pricing so people can easily compare items. Budget ranges should also be more widely available across stores so consumers do not have to pay over the odds for everyday essentials,” she said.