Overview
- A fresh Smhaggle comparison shows significant year‑on‑year increases for seasonal chocolates and pastries, with many items up by around 20–25% and some rising by as much as two thirds.
- Examples cited include a 70‑gram premium milk chocolate Santa at €3.99, 300‑gram packs of Lebkuchen hearts up to 60% pricier and now commonly above €3, and Dominosteine about 25% higher and often over €3 per 250‑gram pack.
- Discount chains such as Aldi and Lidl have raised seasonal sweet prices as well, though they still tend to offer lower shelf prices than full‑line supermarkets.
- NIQ reports about 10% fewer units of Christmas confectionery sold by October compared with last year, with overall revenue holding steady due to heavier discounting and a jump in promotion‑driven buying to 66% from 46% a year earlier.
- Industry officials point to cocoa that remains roughly two to three times costlier than three years ago, while the confectionery association underscores that final consumer prices are set by retailers.