Sweet-toothed shoppers dealt bitter blow as chocolate firms yank special offers from shelves
Mars slashed the number of price promotions in major supermarkets, such as two-for-one deals on multipacks, by 54 per cent last month
SWEET-TOOTHED shoppers have been dealt a bitter blow with chocolate firms yanking special offers from the shelves.
Mars slashed the number of price promotions in major supermarkets, such as two-for-one deals on multipacks, by 54 per cent last month compared to the same time a year ago.
And Nestle has cut its money-saving deals by 36 per cent.
Meanwhile, Cadbury increased its offers by 27 per cent — but the average savings on deals are down by five per cent, research by The Grocer magazine found.
And the news could soon get even worse, amid warnings of 30 per cent price rises following Brexit because of EU tariffs and the struggling Pound.
Chocolate-lovers have already been hit by increasing prices and cuts in size to their favourite treats with manufacturers blaming the soaring cost of ingredients.
This month Cadbury raised the price of a Freddo from 25p to 30p, while Dairy Milk, Boost and Crunchie rose from 50p to 55p.
Firms have also been accused of hidden rises by reducing the size of multipacks, bars and tins, while keeping prices the same.
MOST READ IN FOOD
Last November, Cadbury owners Mondelez International sparked outrage and ridicule by lengthening gaps between the triangular chunks in a Toblerone.
It meant the 400g bar was shrunk to 360g and the 170g bar was slimmed down to 150g.
Other favourites have suffered the same fate.
But with the rising costs of raw materials, transport and currency exchange, experts say it is harder to keep the prices down.
Kay Staniland of retail researchers Assosia, which compiled the research, said: “Cadbury is the only confectionery brand to show an increasing number of promotions.
“But while Cadbury consumers seem to have a lot of choice, it is reducing the savings.”