Latest news with #HariboMerryMix
South Wales Guardian
01-08-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Asda points to ‘spreading cost of Christmas' as festive stock spotted on shelves
Pictures on social media appear to show packets of Maltesers Mini Reindeers and Haribo Merry Mix on display at the supermarket at the end of July, some five months before Christmas. One user posted a picture of a Cadbury Mini Snowballs chocolate bar they claimed to have bought on July 25. Some of the products are also available to buy on Asda's online grocery shopping website. An Asda spokesperson said: 'We know how important it is for our shoppers to be able to spread the cost of Christmas and we start to see searches for Christmas products on as early as August. 'Confectionery in particular is one of those items that can be kept aside for those customers who like to get everything prepared in plenty of time.' An industry expert said the supermarket's introduction of the themed products at such an early stage could help boost its sales. Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'Every year we say that Christmas is coming earlier, but starting in August has been the norm for some retailers for years. 'For retailers trying to sell us Christmas gifts, there's less mileage in starting in the summer. 'People will shop early, but once they've bought each present, their list is done and dusted. It's why September will usually see the launch of Christmas departments. 'For supermarkets, there's a huge opportunity to persuade people they're stocking up early, on the understanding they'll end up eating everything, and having to do it all over again.' The British Retail Consortium said on Thursday it expects food inflation to rise to 6% by the end of the year, and that will 'pose significant challenges to household budgets, particularly in the run-up to Christmas'. Grocery price inflation rose to 5.2% in July, up from 4.7% a month earlier and the highest level since January 2024, according to market research firm Worldpanel. Ms Coles said: 'For shoppers, as long as we're not busting the budget, there's no real harm in getting into the festive spirit early. It's just important to keep an eye on your spending. 'One sensible option is to keep the receipt from your previous shop and then compare it at the till. If your Christmas treats are taking you beyond what's affordable, you will need to keep a lid on them until closer to the big day.'
Scotsman
01-08-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Christmas sweets and chocs spotted in Asda 5 months early
Some shoppers are stocking up already – others say it's way too soon for tinsel and treats 🎅 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Christmas chocolates have been spotted in Asda stores and online in late July Products include Maltesers Reindeers, Haribo Merry Mix, and Cadbury Snowballs Asda says early rollout helps shoppers spread the cost of Christmas Experts say supermarkets benefit if shoppers buy festive treats more than once Shoppers urged to keep an eye on budgets as food inflation begins to rise again You might not have even packed your summer suitcase, but Santa's already peeking out from the shop shelves. Festive chocolates – including Maltesers Mini Reindeers, Haribo Merry Mix, and Cadbury's Mini Snowballs – have been spotted in Asda stores and online five months before Christmas Day, with eagle-eyed shoppers sharing photos on social media. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But is this early festive rollout a helpful budgeting move or a cynical sales tactic? It depends who you ask. Asda says it's simply giving shoppers what they want. A spokesperson said: 'We know how important it is for our shoppers to be able to spread the cost of Christmas and we start to see searches for Christmas products on as early as August. 'Confectionery in particular is one of those items that can be kept aside for those customers who like to get everything prepared in plenty of time.' A Christmas chocolate selection box is unpacked in Weymouth Foodbank distribution hub in December 2023 (Photo:) | Getty Images Retail analyst Sarah Coles, from Hargreaves Lansdown, agrees the move could benefit supermarkets – especially if it gets shoppers to buy twice. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'For supermarkets, there's a huge opportunity to persuade people they're stocking up early, on the understanding they'll end up eating everything, and having to do it all over again.' she said. The move comes as the British Retail Consortium warns that food inflation could hit 6% by year-end. That's already edging up, with grocery price inflation rising to 5.2% in July – its highest level since January 2024, according to market analysts at Worldpanel. With that in mind, early shopping might make sense – but only if you can resist dipping into the stash early. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For gift retailers, August is still a bit too soon. 'For retailers trying to sell us Christmas gifts, there's less mileage in starting in the summer,' Coles added. 'People will shop early, but once they've bought each present, their list is done and dusted. It's why September will usually see the launch of Christmas departments,' 'For shoppers, as long as we're not busting the budget, there's no real harm in getting into the festive spirit early. It's just important to keep an eye on your spending. 'One sensible option is to keep the receipt from your previous shop and then compare it at the till. If your Christmas treats are taking you beyond what's affordable, you will need to keep a lid on them until closer to the big day.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Are you struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Scotsman
01-08-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Christmas sweets and chocs spotted in Asda 5 months early
Some shoppers are stocking up already – others say it's way too soon for tinsel and treats 🎅 Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Christmas chocolates have been spotted in Asda stores and online in late July Products include Maltesers Reindeers, Haribo Merry Mix, and Cadbury Snowballs Asda says early rollout helps shoppers spread the cost of Christmas Experts say supermarkets benefit if shoppers buy festive treats more than once Shoppers urged to keep an eye on budgets as food inflation begins to rise again You might not have even packed your summer suitcase, but Santa's already peeking out from the shop shelves. Festive chocolates – including Maltesers Mini Reindeers, Haribo Merry Mix, and Cadbury's Mini Snowballs – have been spotted in Asda stores and online five months before Christmas Day, with eagle-eyed shoppers sharing photos on social media. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But is this early festive rollout a helpful budgeting move or a cynical sales tactic? It depends who you ask. Asda says it's simply giving shoppers what they want. A spokesperson said: 'We know how important it is for our shoppers to be able to spread the cost of Christmas and we start to see searches for Christmas products on as early as August. 'Confectionery in particular is one of those items that can be kept aside for those customers who like to get everything prepared in plenty of time.' A Christmas chocolate selection box is unpacked in Weymouth Foodbank distribution hub in December 2023 (Photo:) | Getty Images Retail analyst Sarah Coles, from Hargreaves Lansdown, agrees the move could benefit supermarkets – especially if it gets shoppers to buy twice. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'For supermarkets, there's a huge opportunity to persuade people they're stocking up early, on the understanding they'll end up eating everything, and having to do it all over again.' she said. The move comes as the British Retail Consortium warns that food inflation could hit 6% by year-end. That's already edging up, with grocery price inflation rising to 5.2% in July – its highest level since January 2024, according to market analysts at Worldpanel. With that in mind, early shopping might make sense – but only if you can resist dipping into the stash early. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For gift retailers, August is still a bit too soon. 'For retailers trying to sell us Christmas gifts, there's less mileage in starting in the summer,' Coles added. 'People will shop early, but once they've bought each present, their list is done and dusted. It's why September will usually see the launch of Christmas departments,' 'For shoppers, as long as we're not busting the budget, there's no real harm in getting into the festive spirit early. It's just important to keep an eye on your spending. 'One sensible option is to keep the receipt from your previous shop and then compare it at the till. If your Christmas treats are taking you beyond what's affordable, you will need to keep a lid on them until closer to the big day.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
South Wales Argus
01-08-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Asda points to ‘spreading cost of Christmas' as festive stock spotted on shelves
Pictures on social media appear to show packets of Maltesers Mini Reindeers and Haribo Merry Mix on display at the supermarket at the end of July, some five months before Christmas. One user posted a picture of a Cadbury Mini Snowballs chocolate bar they claimed to have bought on July 25. Some of the products are also available to buy on Asda's online grocery shopping website. An Asda spokesperson said: 'We know how important it is for our shoppers to be able to spread the cost of Christmas and we start to see searches for Christmas products on as early as August. 'Confectionery in particular is one of those items that can be kept aside for those customers who like to get everything prepared in plenty of time.' An industry expert said the supermarket's introduction of the themed products at such an early stage could help boost its sales. Festive Maltesers chocolates are available on Asda's website (PA) Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'Every year we say that Christmas is coming earlier, but starting in August has been the norm for some retailers for years. 'For retailers trying to sell us Christmas gifts, there's less mileage in starting in the summer. 'People will shop early, but once they've bought each present, their list is done and dusted. It's why September will usually see the launch of Christmas departments. 'For supermarkets, there's a huge opportunity to persuade people they're stocking up early, on the understanding they'll end up eating everything, and having to do it all over again.' The British Retail Consortium said on Thursday it expects food inflation to rise to 6% by the end of the year, and that will 'pose significant challenges to household budgets, particularly in the run-up to Christmas'. Grocery price inflation rose to 5.2% in July, up from 4.7% a month earlier and the highest level since January 2024, according to market research firm Worldpanel. Ms Coles said: 'For shoppers, as long as we're not busting the budget, there's no real harm in getting into the festive spirit early. It's just important to keep an eye on your spending. 'One sensible option is to keep the receipt from your previous shop and then compare it at the till. If your Christmas treats are taking you beyond what's affordable, you will need to keep a lid on them until closer to the big day.'
Daily Record
01-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Asda makes statement after Christmas products spotted on sale
Pictures on social media appeared to show packets of Maltesers Mini Reindeers and Haribo Merry Mix on display at the supermarket at the end of July, some five months before Christmas. Asda has emphasised the significance of helping customers spread Christmas expenses, following the appearance of festive items in its outlets. Social media images seemed to display packets of Maltesers Mini Reindeers and Haribo Merry Mix on the shelves at the retailer towards the end of July, roughly five months ahead of Christmas. One shopper shared a photograph of a Cadbury Mini Snowballs chocolate bar which they alleged to have purchased on July 25. Several of these items were also accessible through Asda's online grocery platform. A spokesperson for Asda said: "We know how important it is for our shoppers to be able to spread the cost of Christmas and we start to see searches for Christmas products on as early as August. Confectionery in particular is one of those items that can be kept aside for those customers who like to get everything prepared in plenty of time." A retail specialist suggested the supermarket's launch of seasonal merchandise at such an early point might help enhance its revenue. Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "Every year we say that Christmas is coming earlier, but starting in August has been the norm for some retailers for years. For retailers trying to sell us Christmas gifts, there's less mileage in starting in the summer. "People will shop early, but once they've bought each present, their list is done and dusted. It's why September will usually see the launch of Christmas departments. "For supermarkets, there's a huge opportunity to persuade people they're stocking up early, on the understanding they'll end up eating everything, and having to do it all over again." The British Retail Consortium announced on Thursday that it anticipates food inflation will rise to 6% by the year's end, which would "pose significant challenges to household budgets, particularly in the run-up to Christmas". Grocery price inflation also increased to 5.2% in July, up from 4.7% a month earlier and the highest level since January 2024, according to market research firm Worldpanel. Ms Coles said: "For shoppers, as long as we're not busting the budget, there's no real harm in getting into the festive spirit early. It's just important to keep an eye on your spending. "One sensible option is to keep the receipt from your previous shop and then compare it at the till. If your Christmas treats are taking you beyond what's affordable, you will need to keep a lid on them until closer to the big day."
