Shoppers ask 'is this a joke?' as Asda and Morrisons hike prices in budget range

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Supermarkets Asda and Morrisons have come under fire for hiking prices in their most basic ranges. Both are well known for their budget brands - Morrisons' being Savers and Asda's its bright yellow Just Essentials - which aim to help customers get their weekly shopping at a lower cost.

But in our weekly price comparison of shopping basics, it's items in those ranges that are the only ones to increase this week across all the main supermarkets. Read more: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community Asda, which has already been criticised for price rises within the range, has increased the price of tea bags, while Morrisons has hiked the price of coffee.

It's not gone well down with shoppers, who say they feel like the price rises are never going to end. "Is this a joke?" said one, about the Just Essentials tea bags increasing for the second time in a matter of weeks.

In March a 40-pack was increased from 31p to 35p. Now it's gone up again, this time to 38p. Meanwhile Morrisons' Savers coffee has risen from 84p for 100g to 99p, an increase of almost 18%. "How can these supermarkets justify these endless price rises on the cheapest ranges?" said another shopper. "The price of those Asda tea bags makes them more expensive than any of the other stores." It's Asda that remains as the most expensive in our comparison, with a new high of £13.35 for the eight items, which also include mince, chicken, beans, butter, a two-pint bottle of milk and a loaf of bread.