Shoppers are being advised to buy big if they want to avoid price hikes on eggs this winter – with the cost of very large eggs rising at a slower rate than medium ones.
Experts from price intelligence company Skuuudle have revealed new data which tracks the rising cost of eggs over the past five months.
A box of six medium eggs has risen by 14% while the same number of very large eggs has risen by only five percent according to the data.
In the comprehensive analysis of the price of eggs in the UK, 120 products sold across the seven major supermarkets have been forensically tracked over a five month period up until 5th December 2022.
With fresh food price inflation rising to 14.3% for the 12 months until November 2022 the price of a box of six medium eggs has risen by this figure in just the last five months.
Avian flu has disrupted the supply chain of some egg ranges, tightening supply of the most popular products and pushing the price up of sizes most in demand.
But savvy consumers can find better value on the shelves if they buy a box of six very large eggs rather than smaller sizes.
The data revealed that less popular egg products including the very large size and larger quantities of eggs rose by between five and seven percent whereas the more popular boxes of six large or medium rose by higher percentages.
This might also reflect a need for retailers to sell the most popular products for the highest prices relative to other variants.
Skuuudle generates market-leading data analytics to help retailers understand the markets they are operating in to continue to provide optimum prices for consumers – in the face of rising inflation.
This allows retailers to compare like for like products and accurately track changes in price of the same product across different retailers.
This level of insight is critical when accurately tracking the price of a product such as eggs that are in high demand but subject to supply shortages currently.
A Skuuudle spokesman said that retailers have an unenviable ‘balancing act’ to perform when it comes to pricing, having to consider the needs of the customer, their suppliers and the supply chain.
He said: “Egg shortages have been in the news recently with some supermarkets going as far as rationing the number individual customers can take home.
“These have largely been driven by supply chain issues which have also had an impact on the prices supermarkets are paying to their suppliers.
“What is interesting is how supermarkets are choosing to pass these increased costs onto ordinary consumers.
“Our data reveals that it’s the prices of the high volume products which are rising at the highest rate while variants such as very large eggs, are in effect becoming cheaper compared to medium-sized ones.
“By choosing very large eggs shoppers can avoid some of the price hike although as the cost of very large eggs is higher than medium anyway it may not feel like they are getting a bargain.”
Retailers are hiking up the cost of their cheapest food items as the cost of living crisis bites the UK.
Supermarkets are increasing the price of their value items more quickly than more expensive items, according to an analysis by price intelligence company Skuuudle.
In the biggest study of its kind Skuuudle tracked the cost of almost 19,000 items in UK supermarkets on a daily basis from July to December and found that items originally below 75p accelerated at the fastest rate.
These items include many supermarket value range products including biscuits, chocolate, snacks, oils, rice, pasta, cans and packets of food.
Yet items priced above £5 in July have actually fallen in price, possibly as a result of reduced demand for high cost items.
Food staples selling for under 75p have risen by 16% while items selling for over five pounds have decreased in price up to nearly four percent according to the data.
Experts from Skuuudle tracked the price of 18,790 supermarket food products from sauces to cereals.
The figures show a direct correlation between original cost and rate of increase with cheaper items increasing in price at a higher rate than more expensive alternatives.
Items priced between 75p and £1.50 back in July increased by eight percent while items priced from £1.50 to £5 went up by almost four percent.
Skuuudle generates market-leading data analytics to help retailers understand the markets they are operating in, to continue to provide optimum prices for consumers – in the face of rising inflation.
This allows retailers to compare like for like products and accurately track changes in price of the same items across different retailers.
This level of insight is critical when accurately tracking the price of a large number of food products with many small variables differentiating one product from another.
A Skuuudle spokesman said that retailers have an unenviable ‘balancing act’ to perform when it comes to pricing, having to consider the needs of the customer, their suppliers and the supply chain.
He said: “The changes make difficult reading for those on low incomes who are seeing the cost of many value items increase but who may not be able to benefit at all from the reduction in price of more expensive items.
“This change could well be driven by a reduced demand for more expensive items as more people turn to value products during the cost of living crisis.
“Supermarkets are having to contend with increasing costs associated with production and shipping, while issues of supply are driving costs up further.
“What is interesting is how supermarkets are choosing to pass increased costs onto consumers.
“Our data reveals that it’s the prices of the cheapest food items which are rising at the highest rate while many expensive items have actually become cheaper.
“It is often the cheapest items in our baskets that we pay the least attention to so understanding that some of these staples might be increasing at a faster rate will help the most value conscious shoppers stay in control of their weekly food shop bills.”
A THIRD OF SCOTTISH BUSINESSES IN BETTER “ELF” THIS CHRISTMAS !
Bank of Scotland survey shows:
33% of businesses expect higher revenues this Christmas compared to last year
23% of businesses expect to see increased demand this seasonal period
Only one in ten (10%) of retailers say they are completely ready for Christmas trading
However, a fifth (20%) of firms said they do not feel fully prepared for the festive trading period
Despite high inflation, rising energy prices and a tighter labour market, 33% of firms in Scotland expect this Christmas trading period to be merry and bright compared to last year, according to the latest insight from the Lloyds Bank Business Barometer.
Those predicting a bumper festive period cited having more time to prepare (25%), while increasing customer demand was cited by 22% of firms as they felt less affected by Covid restrictions due to the Omicron variant last year. Those expecting a worse Christmas trading period said they were struggling with increased costs of doing business (10%).
Almost three-quarters of businesses surveyed said that Christmas was important for their future prospects (74%), but only one in ten (10%) said they felt completely prepared for Christmas. Meanwhile, a fifth (20%) said they are not yet fully prepared for the festive period.
When asked what could help firms prepare more effectively, 30% said they wanted more support with rising costs, with 23% saying that better access to their supply networks would help. Skilled workers were also high on businesses’ wish lists, with 25% saying access to more skilled staff would boost Christmas trading.
Chris Lawrie, area director for Bank of Scotland, said: “This year has been marked by highs and lows but it’s encouraging to see many firms are in good spirits about trade over the festive period.
“With no restrictions in place, the opportunities for businesses are clear but we know that some aren’t fully prepared for this Christmas trading period. It’s essential that businesses put plans in place now to carefully manage cashflow and make the most of what will be a busy end of the year.”
Shoppers looking for a bargain are being advised to make the most of Cyber Monday deals with tips on how to make the most of the event:
Anxious Brits who are worried about Christmas spending costs are being advised to start shopping early to make the most of early sales this November.
The frugal team at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have revealed 10 top tips for shoppers to follow to help them grab the best deals and spare the extra cash.
With the biggest sales event of the year soon approaching, shoppers are being advised to browse carefully and plan early to secure the best bargains available.
As the cost-of-living crisis deepens this winter, a large number of retailers have launched special discount events from the start of November to help people grab the best deals throughout the entire month.
Many of these deals are taking place online due to changing shopping habits, with eager shoppers being encouraged to start early to avoid lengthy online queues and gain early access to the top deals.
Making accounts before the discounts go live and setting up your banking details before the discount event are just some of the savvy tips shoppers can follow to make the most out of the seasonal offers.
Rebecca Bebbington, online consumer expert atNetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “With the cost-of-living crisis deepening this winter, many are worried about the costs of the festive spending period.
“We’re advising people to start shopping as early as possible – Black Friday and Cyber Monday are great opportunities to grab a bargain and save on buying Christmas gifts by shopping in advance.
“Using simple shopping tactics such as having a plan in place on what you want to buy and keeping an eye out for special deals on social media can help buyers to check off the Christmas list without breaking the bank.”
“However, we’re noticing brands offering discount codes and reducing their prices as early as now so it’s best to get on top of these special deals at the earliest possibility.”
Here are 10 useful ways for shoppers to make the most of Cyber Monday from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk:
Start early
Many retailers now start their sales up to a week or two before the big day. Keep an eye for bargains in the lead up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday in order to not miss out on a great bargain.
Have a plan
Calculating what you want to buy, the price you want to buy it at, and where you want to get it from is essential if you want to avoid any stressful situations on the day. Try to set a budget to help control overspending, especially in the run-up to Christmas.
Hold off the impulse buys
Impulse buying on Black Friday can be a dangerous game, so creating a list of products to purchase prior to the sales can help to avoid any impulse purchases.
Use discount codes
Many retailers allow shoppers to use multiple discount codes at the checkout, so there is no harm in checking voucher websites for an extra few quid off an item. Even if there aren’t any codes to use, voucher sites may reveal exclusive deals only available through them.
Research the price
More than often, retailers can sometimes change the original price of products before big sales to make them appear to be a better deal. So make sure to evaluate the prices in the lead up to Black Friday to make sure you get more for your buck.
Make accounts in advance
Online retailers typically ask shoppers to create accounts in order to purchase products. Creating these accounts early can save precious time at the checkouts, before items quickly become out of stock.
Check the returns policy
It’s vital to check the returns policy for any items bought both in-store and online. Most stores will offer you a full refund or exchange however, they’re not obliged to so it’s always best to check with the retailer before you buy.
Remember Cyber Monday
If you’re busy on Black Friday, don’t panic. Due to the rising popularity of the seasonal discount event as well as the marketing opportunities for companies, deals usually span the weekend and into Cyber Monday too.
Don’t use a debit card
When you’re buying items during the sales, try to use a credit card or a trusted payment system. This provides extra protection when shopping on the web especially on sites that may not be protected while making it easier to manage monthly payments if you don’t have the full amount in the bank.
Monitor social media
A quick scroll of the Instagram, Twitter or Facebook feed can reveal some offers and discounts exclusive to social media users. Brands will also provide the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding stock, opening times and even how busy their retail stores are.
John Lewis click and collect orders can now be picked up from selected Dobbies’ stores. Customers at Dobbies in Edinburgh and little dobbies in Stockbridge can now collect their John Lewis parcels in store.
This expands the relationship between Dobbies and the John Lewis Partnership after it was announced in July that Waitrose would have a dedicated area offering more than 2,000 products in 50 of the garden centre’s foodhalls. The roll out is already underway having been launched in 12 Dobbies’ stores, including Edinburgh.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said: “We’re committed to providing convenience to our customers and this new collaboration enables us to further develop this focus. It’s important that we share a commitment to great value, quality and customer service with our partners.
“We hope our customers in Edinburgh find this new development beneficial.”
Ged Keogh-Peters, Director of Supply Chain Planning & Development for the John Lewis Partnership, adds: “The introduction of click and collect further strengthens our partnership with Dobbies and underlines our ambition to find new ways to be more convenient for our customers.
“The service is growing in popularity every year with customers increasingly wanting the ease of being able to pick up their order at a time and place which works for them.”
Dobbies is the latest retailer to join the existing network of over 350 John Lewis and Waitrose Click & Collect points, along with over 800 Co-op, Shell and Booths locations.
The other Dobbies’ stores offering Click & Collect are Dunfermline, Aberdeen, Gillingham, Atherstone, Brighton, and little dobbies in Westbourne Grove, London.
Coming up this Saturday, Castle Street Christmas Market, run by LocalMotive Markets is once again making a festive splash with a wealth of artisan, bespoke ethical and fair trade products, handcrafted gifts and seasonal foodie & drink delights.
Set just below the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle looking onto Princes Street – now in its 15th year – the Christmas market with its distinctive festive gazebos, will be running for four weeks from the 26 November until the 23 December, with new exhibitors joining every week.
This year ice skating, funfair rides and a whole lot of festive activities are taking place across the city and LocalMotive Markets are excited to be running two beautiful Christmas Markets at Castle Street as well Ocean Terminal. *See dates below for Ocean Terminal.
Tania Pramschufer, director of LocalMotive Marketssaid: “We are seeing some amazing talent coming through – and this year with twenty stalls, we have “Loved by Bridget” handmade pebble art and upcycled items made by Lisa from Leven – who has a real passion for all things coastal.
“Also Borders based, Bowbrook Studios making exquisite collectible figurines with everything from farm animals to otters and discover Leanme Art Studio – artist Arias Deniz’s colourful sketches and paintings of Edinburgh streets and houses as well as jewellery.”
“We have built a strong market following from all the artists, producers and local people involved. We are inviting our festive visitors to browse and enjoy our market with the opportunity to buy some unique and affordable gifts – for example Gecko Gifts; Frangipani Toby Jewels, Floraidh Soaps, Gamries Candles and 100% Cards, and authentic Sicilian confectionery by Tipico, a sumptuous range of cheeses from Damn Fine Cheese and out of this world delicious range of chilli jams from Slaped Toasties…..
“Come and join us at our markets and take time to chat to the makers directly, as they each have a terrific story to tell about how they got started – some family run businesses, some part-time creativity or a new life venture – they all have some truly amazing stories to tell. Maybe they will inspire you to become a maker too.
Marks and Spencer is to close it’s food store in Ocean Terminal. The store will close before the end of the year, but the company insists ‘the vast majority’ of Leith staff will be offered new jobs other M & S stores.
Scott Munro, M&S’s regional manager for the east of Scotland, said: “Shopping habits are changing and we’re reshaping our store estate across Scotland and the UK to make sure we’re reflecting the needs of our customers.
“As part of this transformation, we have today announced to colleagues our decision to close the M&S Ocean Terminal store at Ocean Terminal later this year.
“Our priority is to support our colleagues through these changes and we are confident of being able to offer new roles to the vast majority of those affected.
“We are committed to Edinburgh and this decision means there are more opportunities to invest in our eight other stores across the city.”
“But their decision does not impact on our plans. Instead, it has allowed us to actively pursue a range of opportunities for partnership with alternative food retailers as part of ongoing plans to reconfigure Ocean Terminal and shape the ongoing transformation of the centre and its important waterfront location.”
Responding to news of the closure of the Marks & Spencer store in Ocean Terminal, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “I was shocked to find out today that the M&S store in Ocean Terminal is set for closure with the loss of a number of jobs. This could be the death knell for Ocean Terminal.
“Marks & Spencer is one of Ocean Terminal’s remaining flagship outlets for the area.
“With the tram set to arrive before long, I fear that this is a short-term decision that will damage Leith in the long-term.
“I will be writing to Marks & Spencer to seek a meeting to urgently review this decision.”
TK MAXX REWARDS CUSTOMERS IN ‘SUPER SATURDAYS’ AS PART OF A SUMMER OF SPORTING AND SHOPPING BIG WINS
To celebrate 10 years since London 2012, TK Maxx is rewarding shoppers with their very own ‘medal’ haul, as part of their ongoing Summer of Big Wins campaign
Every Saturday in August, there will be 65 gold medal gift cards hidden in stores around the country, to represent the number of medals won by Team GB
Kicking off in London with Rylan, the celebrations will then move on to Birmingham to mark the city hosting the Commonwealth Games, then Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast
Recent research from TK Maxx shows more than half of Brits (55%) say summer is their favourite time of year, compared to 12% who said winter.
63% said they find outdoor exercise easier to do in the summertime.
Whether you’re looking forward to footie in the garden, runs in the park or sprinting to the shade, discover more about TK Maxx’s Summer of Big Wins.
London, summer 2012 – remember anything big happening? Let us remind you.
Ten years ago, Team GB achieved our best ever medal haul at the London 2012 Olympics – and TK Maxx is celebrating by bringing that brilliant winning feeling to customers across the country and giving them the chance to win their own ‘gold medal’ treasure.
The TK Maxx Summer of Big Wins will hit the #TeamGB hotspots, bringing the treasure hunt to every place –
Birmingham, Saturday 6th August
Cardiff, Saturday 13th August
Edinburgh, Saturday 20th August
Belfast, Saturday 27th August
There will be 65 ‘medals’ hidden inside each store, every Saturday in August – each one representing the number won by Team GB in 2012 and giving the public the chance to win up to £65 off their shopping on the everyday amazing value in-store and online.
Rylan was spotted limbering up to uncover his own treasure early this morning at TK Maxx’s flagship store on London’s Oxford Street, don’t miss your chance to do the same and end up on the winner’s podium – it’s going to be a summer of big wins, both sporting and shopping!
TK Maxx recently released research that shows summer simply puts a spring in our step. 77% of Brits polled said they find it easier to get out of bed in the summertime than the winter, with park runs and footy in the garden on their minds.
More than half of Brits (55%) say summer is their favourite time of year, compared to 12% who said winter – to each their own!
Not only that, but 63% of people find it much easier to do outdoor exercise during the summer months – so there’s no better time to stock up on TK’s range of summer essentials across beauty, homeware, fashion and, of course, activewear.
TK Maxx have also undertaken some Very Important Sports Facts (VISF), all with a TK twist…
Did you know?
Mo Farah’s double Gold glory in the Men’s 5,000m and 10,000m is the equivalent of over 20,000 pairs of men’s socks laid out end to end!
The length it took for Bradley Wiggins’ to power to Gold in the Men’s Individual Time Trial is equivalent to that of 73,333 suitcases!
Greg Rutherford’s winning long jump in 2012 was the same as leaping over 57 pairs of men’s sunglasses lying back-to-back!
Jessica Ennis-Hill’s javelin throw on her way to glory in the women’s Heptathlon event was 47.49m – or over 194 women’s shoes!
Tom Daley’s 10m spectacular platform dive in 2012 is the equivalent of over 14 men’s polo shirts stacked on top of each other!
Helen Glover and Heather Stanning rowed for Gold at Eton Dorney – over a distance of more than 13,500 children’s shoes!
You can get all the nation’s favourite summer essentials at TK Maxx with up to 60% less than the RRP.
Whether you’re counting down the days till things cool down or can’t wait to sizzle those sausages on the BBQ, get equipped at TK Maxx with essentials for all year round. But for now, get your hands on our summer must-haves, in-store or online at TKMaxx.com.
Dobbies Garden Centres, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, has marked its partnership with Waitrose by opening its first foodhall in Edinburgh.
Featuring the supermarket’s wide range of high-quality food, grocery products, and everyday essentials, the Waitrose foodhall is one of more than 50 that are to be launched at Dobbies’ stores across the UK and which will bring Waitrose to 20 new towns and cities.
Shoppers at Dobbies’ Edinburgh can choose from an extensive selection of products including the essential Waitrose range, which is the biggest value tier of any supermarket, plus its premium range – Waitrose No. 1 – and Waitrose Duchy Organic. Ready meals, free-from and vegan ranges, prepared fruit and vegetables, snacks and cupboard staples will also be available.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said:“Through a shared commitment to great value, quality and sustainability, Waitrose was the natural grocery partner for us as we continue to build on the success of our foodhalls in recent years. I am sure our first Waitrose foodhall at our flagship store in Edinburgh will prove popular with our customers.
“Our foodhalls are integral to our garden centre ranges and the experience of our customers, and we look forward to introducing Waitrose’s offering across our network of UK stores.”
To find out more about the partnership, visit www.dobbies.com.
This year was the biggest Prime Day event for Amazon’s selling partners, most of whom are small and medium-sized businesses, whose sales growth in Amazon’s store outpaced Amazon’s retail business
Since Prime Day shopping began on July 12, select Fire TV, Echo, and Ring devices were some of the best-selling items on Amazon in the UK
AMAZON Prime members purchased more than 300 million items worldwide during Prime Day 2022, making this year’s event the biggest Prime Day event in Amazon’s history.
Topping the list in the UK, the Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote, HD streaming device was the most popular item purchased on Prime Day. And, more shopping means more donations through AmazonSmile. This year, during Prime Day, Amazon doubled donations on all eligible purchases in the UK, making this also one of the biggest days for UK charities on AmazonSmile.
This year was the biggest Prime Day event for Amazon’s selling partners, most of whom are small and medium-sized businesses, whose sales growth in Amazon’s store outpaced Amazon’s retail business. Customers spent over $3 billion on more than 100 million small business items included in the Support Small Businesses to Win Big sweepstakes.
John Boumphrey, Country Manager, Amazon UK said: “UK Prime members participated in Prime Day at record levels, saving on everything from everyday basic to devices seasonal purchases for the summer.
“Prime Day delivered something for everyone – great savings for Prime customers, critical sales for the 65,000 UK small businesses that sell on Amazon, and increasing donations for more than 45,000 UK charities that customers can choose to support through AmazonSmile.
“Thank you to all of the brilliant selling partners who participated in Prime Day this year, and a huge thanks to all of the Amazon employees across the UK who made this event possible for customers.”
“And, by way of reminder for all customers, you can continue to shop using the Small Business badge to find products from small businesses in the UK, and at the same time, continue using AmazonSmile all year long so that while you shop, we donate to your chosen charity.”
Prime Day Continues to Fuel Small Business Success
“As a games business we usually see our busiest sales period in the run up to Christmas but Prime Day has offered a fantastic boost in sales for us at a quieter time of year – just in time for families to play our games on their summer holidays! Sales were up more than 500% compared to a typical equivalent day, which makes a big difference to a small business like ours. At Gamely we’re passionate about getting people playing our games as a way to spend more quality time laughing with their family and friends, and Prime Day 2022 has helped make that a reality!” Hazel Reynolds, Founder of Gamely Games
“Prime Day has been a well needed boost of our sales in a difficult economic climate. We increased our turnover by 30% over the last few days. Funky Soap has worked very hard to keep popular items in stock and we have been preparing for the last few weeks. Of course we also benefit from the Amazon advertising campaigns and the increased traffic to our store. Furthermore the “Small Business” Badge on our listings has helped to improve sales as customers know they can trust and support us as a small company. Overall we are very happy with the Prime Day Event and it has been a success and a rewarding experience.”Anni Kriesche, Founder of Funky Soap Shop LTD
“The whole lead up to Prime day has been incredible for us – to have something to really shout about and get involved in as a small business. We’re grateful to Amazon for doing so much to promote ethical, small businesses, and we’ve learned a lot along the way too. Prime Day itself is going super well – we’re watching all the orders fly in, and we are excited to build on this positivity over the next 12 months.” Ky Wright, Founder of Human Food.
“Thanks to Amazon for shining a spotlight on small businesses. It was great to take part in the recent ‘Small Business, Big Dreams’ panel to explore the impact of social media on growing companies. We’re excited to carry on the momentum with Amazon Prime Day and thrilled to be able to offer such a great deal to our new and existing customers alike: 20% off Supplement and Collagen Serum, 15% off Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner.” Darcy Laceby, Absolute Collagen
Worldwide and U.S. shopping trends around Amazon’s Prime Day event include:
Worldwide Prime Day Trends
Shopping
· Prime members worldwide purchased more than 100,000 items per minute during this year’s Prime Day event.
· Some of the best-selling categories worldwide this Prime Day were Amazon Devices, Consumer Electronics, and Home.
· Prime members worldwide did the most shopping from 9am – 10am PT on Tuesday, 7/12 during the entire Prime Day event.
· Since Prime Day shopping began on July 12, select Fire TV, Echo, and Blink devices were some of the best-selling items on Amazon worldwide.
AmazonSmile is the company’s charity initiative which allows customers to support their chosen UK charity while shopping. Whether shopping online or by turning on AmazonSmile in the Amazon app, eligible purchases made with AmazonSmile generate 0.5% to a customer’s chosen charity. Customers can learn how easy it is to shop with the Amazon app at smile.amazon.co.uk.
