Christmas Dinner Prices
Christmas dinner will be slightly cheaper this year compared to last year, according to new industry data. The cost of a traditional turkey dinner is £32.46, a few pence cheaper than in 2024 as two items have lower prices.
Price Reductions
The biggest price fall has been in frozen turkeys, which cost an average of £13.52, 3.6% less than Christmas 2024. Parsnips were the only other item to become cheaper, now costing 71p, a 0.4% reduction.
Comparison to Last Year
Last year, a classic Christmas meal – including cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, carrots, parsnips, sparkling wine, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, gravy granules, frozen turkey, Christmas pudding and potatoes – cost a slightly more expensive £32.57.
Retail Spending and Promotions
The new data also shows that promotional offers now account for 31.2% of all retail spending, up from 30% last year. Additionally, supermarkets’ premium own-brand products continue to be popular, accounting for £1 of every £20 spent.
Food Price Inflation
Food price inflation remained at 4.7% in the month ended November 30, well above the official figure. This is compared to an overall inflation rate of 3.6%.
Retail Sales and Economic Activity
Retail sales from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) suggest that consumers pulled back on spending ahead of the budget on November 26. Analysts note that months of speculation about tax hikes ahead of the budget have had a "chilling effect" on economic activity.
Economic Stability and Interest Rates
A Treasury spokesman stated that the government is working to ensure economic stability, reduce borrowing and debt, and reduce inflation. This will help interest rates continue to fall and give businesses the confidence to invest. The spokesman also noted that real wages have risen and living standards are higher than in the previous parliament.
