Grocery inflation hits new highs as Which? highlights top price risers across supermarkets

Prices at supermarkets have continued to rise, with Which? data showing grocery inflation in the year to August 2025 running at about 5.2% across tens of thousands of items surveyed. The analysis tracks 27,000 products across major UK retailers and compares prices in the three months to the end of August 2024 and August 2025, adjusting for temporary discounts to reflect typical shopping conditions. The findings suggest that prices have risen most sharply on everyday items from cereals to confectionery and meat, underscoring ongoing cost-of-living pressures for households.

Which? highlighted several standout cases where the percentage increase exceeded 50% over the year. A 500g box of Asda Special Flakes rose from 99p to £1.84, an 85.9% jump. In Tesco, two cake-bar multipacks—Maltesers and Galaxy—both climbed from £1.49 to £2.75, an 84.6% rise. Asda also accounted for several other large moves, including six soft white rolls up 78% from 85p to £1.51, a 37g Lindt Lindor milk chocolate truffles box up 72% from £1.15 to £1.98, and ten mild cheddar slices up 72% from 65p to £1.12.

The study’s authors note that the price moves come as shoppers continue to face higher tills across Britain, with retailers and suppliers pointing to rising costs tied to wage growth, energy and packaging. They also cited the higher employer National Insurance contributions and a higher minimum wage as contributing factors, along with more expensive packaging and logistics. Which? retail editor Reena Sewraz said the price pressures risk widening the gap between affordable options and pricier staples, urging consumers to compare prices across brands and pack sizes, and retailers to safeguard affordable choices in pricier channels.

Beyond the top individual items, the data show broader shifts by category. Chocolate prices jumped 14.6% in the year to August 2025, the largest rise among major categories, followed by butters and spreads (up 10%), biscuits (8.4%), and cakes and cookies (7.2%). Meat rose by about 5.5%, while cereals increased by 1.9%. Overall annual food inflation stood at 5.2% for August 2025 versus August 2024, a figure that tracked alongside broader price pressures noted by the Office for National Statistics. Analysts say the rate marks a continued tilt upward in food costs despite some month-to-month volatility.

Economic indicators outside the grocery aisle echo the consumer pressures. The British Retail Consortium’s Harvir Dhillon noted wholesale beef prices have climbed sharply this year due to sustained demand and tighter supply, both domestically and globally, while cocoa costs have been a main driver of higher chocolate prices given ongoing supply issues in major harvest regions. An Asda spokesperson reiterated the retailer’s positioning in price comparisons, saying that over half of its products have been through temporary price reductions or remain in a low-price posture as part of a Rollback cycle.

The data come as the Department for Business and Trade and other authorities monitor inflation trends. Separate official figures from the Office for National Statistics showed food and drink price rises accelerating to about 5.1% in August, with overall CPI inflation holding at 3.8%. The ONS data highlighted that while some categories such as vegetables, milk, eggs, cheese, fish, beef and pork contributed to higher inflation, others, including pasta, rice and olive oil, pulled on the opposite direction. Market researchers Numerator also reported a softer annual grocery price inflation pace in September, with annual figures nudging down to about 4.9%.

In the retail sector, some prices did ease in the month, though the overall trend remained upward. Waitrose’s beef rump steak and mince saw some reductions in August, while a number of Sainsbury’s chocolate multipacks and individual bars became comparatively cheaper for Nectar-card holders, illustrating how loyalty pricing can influence observed changes at the till. Industry observers say these nuances matter for households balancing groceries with other essentials as inflation remains a persistent concern for many families.

As the industry navigates these pressures, both policymakers and retailers say a combination of global commodity dynamics and domestic policy will shape the near-term food-price trajectory. Analysts caution that while some improvements may emerge from global markets, the path for grocery prices will likely continue to hinge on farming costs, supply chain resilience, and the balance between competition and consumer-friendly pricing in a tighter economic climate.