PRICE CREAM
Exact amount your favourite ice cream has gone up in price as costs soar up to 38% – and best supermarket alternatives
Plus watch our video for key ways to spot if you're being duped at the supermarket
POPULAR ice creams have jumped in price by up to 38% in the past two years, a consumer group has found.
These sweet treats include big-name brands like Cornetto and Solero, which are among those which have spiked.
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It comes as overall grocery price inflation currently stands at 1.6%, according to market analysts Kantar.
But that figure disguises the huge rise in the price of many groceries over the past two years.
Rising prices in raw ingredients such as milk and sugar, combined with high energy and transportation costs, have contributed to price increases.
Consumer group Which? compared ice cream costs at the UK’s biggest supermarkets in the two months to July 8 with the same period two years earlier.
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All prices were averages across the major supermarkets where they were available for the two-month period each year and included regular discounts but not multibuys or loyalty prices.
The biggest price increase Which? found was on a six-pack of Cornetto strawberry ice cream cones, which rose from £2.57 to £3.55.
That's an increase of 38% between 2022 and 2024, while a six-pack of Cornetto Classico cones increased by 35% from £2.57 to £3.48.
A three-pack of Solero Exotic ice cream lollies also saw a 35% price increase from £2.03 to £2.75.
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While a four-pack of Feast chocolate ice creams jumped by 28% from £2.42 to £3.11.
Elsewhere a six-pack of Fab strawberry fruity lollies rose by 23% from £1.97 to £2.43.
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Rowntree's is also on the offending list, a four-pack of Fruit Pastilles lollies increased from £2 to £2.43, and a four-pack of the brand’s watermelon lollies rose from £2.03 to £2.47, or 21%.
On the other end of the scale, a three-pack of Magnum’s Double Gold Caramel Billionaire has fallen in price from £3.72 to £3.63, or by 2%.
Which? retail editor Ele Clark said: “Few of us can resist an ice cream on a hot summer’s day, but the price hikes our research has revealed could leave ice cream lovers feeling cold.
“Thankfully, Which?’s tests have unearthed some own-brand supermarket alternatives that taste better and cost less than their big-brand rivals.”
Here's the full list of ice cream hikes:
- Cornetto strawberry ice cream cones x6 (540ml) - 38%
- Cornetto Classico cone x6 (540ml) - 35%
- Solero exotic ice cream lollies x3 (270ml) - 35%
- Feast chocolate ice creams x4 (360ml) - 28%
- Fab strawberry fruity lollies ice cream x6 (348ml) - 23%
- Rowntree’s Fruit Pastilles lollies x4 (260ml) - 22%
- Rowntree’s Watermelon lollies x4 (292ml) - 21%
- Magnum double gold caramel billionaire x3 (255ml) - -2%
What alternatives are there?
Ahead of the summer, Which? also conducted its own blind taste tests for both strawberry ice cream cones and tropical-flavoured ice creams to see how supermarket brands fared against Cornetto and Solero.
Some of the own-brand products tested cost less than half the price of the big brands and are a good option for consumers looking to avoid the biggest hikes.
Testers found Aldi’s Gianni’s Tropico Exotic Fruit Lollies (£1.35 for three) scored 76%, which was higher overall compared to Solero.
Solero did however score relatively well overall with 70% but the panel found they didn't smell as appealing as other supermarket ice creams.
For the strawberry ice cream cone tests, Asda, Lidl and Morrisons tied with a top score of 77%.
Asda’s Strawberry Ice Cream Cones cost £1.99 for six, and Lidl’s Bon Gelati Ice Cream Cones are also priced at £1.99 for six.
While Morrisons’ Strawberry Ice Cream Cones costing £1.50 for four were the most “satisfying and tasty”, the test found.
Unilever, which makes Cornetto, Feast, Magnum and Solero, said: "We are committed to using the highest-quality ingredients for our ice cream products and regularly review our ranges to ensure we continue to offer choice, superior quality and value to our shoppers by offering a range of product sizes to suit different shoppers’ preferences, needs and budgets.
“The retail price of our products is always at the sole discretion of the retailer and we, like all manufacturers, only provide a recommended retail price.”
Sun Money has also been putting ice creams to the test, so if you're looking for some cheap alternative we tried supermarket Fab lolly dupes – the winner tastes exactly like the real deal and costs just 24p
Which? approached all of the manufacturers for a comment. Which? did not receive a response for Rowntree’s and Fab from Nestlé.
How to save on your supermarket shop
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they've been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you'll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you'll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching "finest" or "luxury" products and instead going for "own" or value" type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they're misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you're on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
What other ways can I save on food shopping?
Don't forget about these easy tips to slash a few pounds off your weekly shop.
Get a loyalty card
Signing up for a supermarket loyalty card can often help you to get cheaper prices on essentials.
If you have a loyalty card, you may find you can get extra points or discounts, particularly if you buy petrol from the same supermarket.
The Sun recently compared the best supermarket loyalty cards in this handy guide.
Asda promises shoppers extra perks, as well as competitors Lidl, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco.
But it's worth comparing loyalty schemes - and remember you don't have to stay loyal, despite the name.
Know when to shop
Heading to the shops when products are marked down and bright yellow discount stickers are applied can save you serious dough.
If you shop in the evening, you are more likely to find goods that have been marked marked down.
But each branch of a supermarket will have its biggest discounts at slightly different times of day.
We put together a handy guide to what time supermarkets including Aldi, Asda, Tesco and Lidl reduce their prices.
Make a list
One of the most common mistakes shoppers make is going out underprepared.
Making a list will help to stay focused on getting the items that you need, rather than being drawn into impulse purchases.
Another tip is to choose a smaller trolley - or a basket, if possible - to shop with.
A bigger trolley will look emptier even after you've finished trawling the aisles and can encourage you to pick up more items.
Swap to own brand
Ditching items with labels like "finest" in favour of "own" or "value" can be worthwhile.
The Sun regularly tests supermarket own-brand products to see if they can beat the big brands.
Tesco's milk chocolate digestives were recently given a score of 10/10 and gave it top marks for both taste and price.
That compares to 7/10 for the branded version (£1.90 for 266g at the time).
We've tried dozens of supermarket copycats of top snack brands – seven winners better than Cadbury and Mr Kipling.
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You can also try checking frozen alternatives to fresh fruit and vegetables and looking on the lower shelves where customers are known to find better deals.
Meanwhile, The Sun revealed the exact amount Quality Street, Celebrations and Roses have shrunk over the years.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories