SHOPPERS will have to fork out even more money for turkey this Christmas, after another year of price rises
Average costs have jumped by six per cent compared to 2022, found research by The Grocer magazine and analysts Assosia.
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Prices soared last year after bird flu hit supplies and they have climbed again as feed and energy costs have risen, producers say.
But not all supermarkets are hiking prices and some have even cut them, so you can still trim your bill by shopping smart.
We found a medium turkey will cost you anywhere between £16 and £85 depending on which high street chain you choose.
It pays to compare
Adam Leyland, editor-in-chief at trade magazine The Grocer, says: “Some chains such as Lidl and Sainsbury’s have yet to reveal their full range and stores don’t normally fill their fridges with fresh birds until the week before Christmas so there may be further jostling for the cheapest spot. Ensure you compare prices again before you shop.”
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So to help your festive budget stretch as far as possible, we have crunched the numbers to crown the cheapest birds.
Ellie Smitherman compares the cost per kilogram of turkeys at the major supermarkets, for fresh, frozen and extra-fancy birds . . .
- Prices correct at time of going to print.
Fresh
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LIDL and Aldi are tied for cheapest fresh turkey, at £3.75 per kilogram.
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This is down from £4.95 for last year’s most affordable, also from Aldi.
For a medium 5kg bird, to feed eight to ten, you would pay £18.75 this year, compared to £24.75 last Christmas.
Unsurprisingly, Marks & Spencer has the biggest price tag on the high street at £8 a kilogram – or £40 for 5kg.
Cheapest = Aldi & Lidl
=1. Lidl Birchwood medium turkey (in store December 19) £3.75/kg, 5kg bird = £18.75
=1. Aldi Ashfields British medium turkey (from December 19 in store and click-and-collect) £3.75/kg, 5kg bird = £18.75
2. Morrisons medium turkey (from December 19 in store and online) £3.79/kg, 5kg bird = £18.95
=3. Asda medium turkey (from December 19) £5/kg,
5kg bird = £25
=3. Tesco medium turkey (from December 20) £5/kg,
5kg bird = £25
Frozen
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ALDI wins here at £15.99 – around £4 per kilogram.
That’s more per kilogram than for its fresh one.
Unlike fresh turkeys, where cost varies with weight, frozen birds have a fixed price – so we have based our comparison on the minimum weight you would get at each store.
Waitrose has the most expensive whole frozen bird at £29, which is £7.25 per kg.
Cheapest = Aldi
1. Aldi Ashfields medium whole turkey (in store now) £4/kg, fixed price = £15.99
2. Asda medium whole turkey (in store now) £4.10/kg, fixed price = £16
3. Tesco British frozen medium basted white whole turkey (in store now) £5.13/kg, fixed price = £20
4. Iceland Bernard Matthews golden Norfolk medium whole turkey with giblets (in store now) £5.25/kg, fixed price = £21
5. Sainsbury’s medium basted whole turkey (in store now) £5.38/kg, fixed price = £21 (or £19 with Nectar card)
Fancy
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IF you want to treat the family to a posh feast this Christmas, Aldi wins again in the premium rundown.
It costs £7.99 per kilogram, or £39.95 for a 5kg bird at the store. That’s the same as it charged last year.
At £17 per kilogram, Marks & Spencer has the most expensive premium turkey – so it would cost you £85 for a 5kg bird.
Cheapest = ALDI
1. Aldi Specially Selected free-range roly-poly whole turkey (from Dec 19 in store and click-and-collect), £7.99/kg, 5kg bird = £39.95
2. Morrisons The Best medium high-welfare bronze whole turkey (from Dec 19 in store and online), £8.49/kg, 5kg bird = £42.45
3. Asda extra-special free-range, corn-fed Norfolk bronze turkey (from December 19 in store and online), £9/kg, 5kg bird = £45
4.Tesco Finest free-range bronze medium turkey (from December 20 online), £10/kg, 5kg bird = £50 (or £42.50 with Clubcard)
5. Iceland Luxury the perfect turkey crown (in store and online now), £11.36/kg, fixed price £25 is equivalent to £56.80 for 5kg
Wowcher rapped over sales tactics
BARGAIN hunters have been urged to be on the lookout for websites using pressure tactics such as countdown clocks to rush them into spending cash.
Wowcher, which promotes deals on everything from spa days and hotel stays to home gadgets, has come under fire from regulator the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
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It found some of the discount website’s claims created the impression deals might increase in price or disappear, even though this was “often not the case”.
It criticised the site’s use of countdown tickers and warnings of deals “running out!” or being “in high demand!” which could rush shoppers into buying something.
The CMA also raised concerns over hidden charges, such as a pre-ticked box when customers buy an item, which automatically signed them up to a “VIP” membership scheme.
Customers had to untick the box before checkout or they would be charged £4.99 for a year’s subscription.
The regulator warned that the website could face legal action if it doesn’t change its sales practices.
It is part of a wider probe by the watchdog into pressure tactics by online retailers. Sarah Cardell, CMA chief executive, said: “Misleading urgency claims put pressure on shoppers to make quick decisions.
“With soaring living costs, people need the time to shop around and find the right deals.
“We want to send an important message to Wowcher and other online businesses that time is running out on pressure-selling tactics, and we are calling on them to agree to change the way they do business to avoid the risk of court action.”
Consumer expert Scott Dixon, founder of blog The Complaints Resolver, said: “Shoppers really need to be on their guard against sites that play on FOMO – fear of missing out.
“Watch out for claims like ‘people are viewing this deal’ and similar phrases. Take your time and do your homework.”
A Wowcher spokesperson said: “Our mission has always been to help save our customers money with the best, exclusive offers.
“We look forward to continuing to engage with the CMA on this matter.”
You can report misleading sales tactics to the CMA at ripoff-tipoff. campaign.gov.uk.
Give the name of the business and a brief description of what happened.
