Supermarkets raise prices of mince pies and pigs-in-blankets for Christmas – and they’ve even watered down mulled wine

SCROOGE supermarkets have watered down mulled wine and raised prices for mince pies, pigs-in-blankets and crisps this Christmas.

Consumer experts accused stores of using “skimpflation” — where products are of lower quality but cost the same or more — to protect profits.

A probe by The Sun revealed Sainsbury’s Mull It Over wine costs more this year, despite containing slightly less alcohol.

Tesco’s still costs £3 but is also weaker.

Morrisons is charging less, but has slashed the alcohol content from eight to five per cent.

Of six supermarkets surveyed, only Asda has not hiked prices for a six own-brand mince pie pack.

The average is £1.34 — up nearly 15 per cent on last year’s £1.17.

Morrisons now charges £2.50 for a pack of 12 pigs-in-blanket, up from £2.25 last year.

It asks £1.35 for a 125g bag of crisps, up from £1.09 last year. Aldi and Lidl’s crisps jumped from 99p to £1.15.

Consumer expert Martyn James said: “Big supermarkets are using every trick in the book to make it look like they aren’t raising prices too much this Christmas.”

The British Retail Consortium, which represents supermarkets, said: “Prices and sizes of all products are clearly labelled so that customers can make informed decisions about their purchases.”

*Prices correct at the time of publication