Pret A Manger, the popular sandwich chain, has been accused of increasing its prices by five times more than its rivals amid rising food inflation. Customers have complained that some of the items on the menu have become too expensive, while others have noticed a reduction in portion sizes.
Pret’s price changes compared to other chains
According to an analysis by The Times, Pret A Manger has raised its prices by an average of 9.1% since January 2020, compared to 1.8% for Greggs, 2.2% for Costa Coffee and 2.6% for Starbucks. Some of the products that have seen the biggest increases are:
- The classic cheese sandwich, which now costs £7.15, up from £5.25 in January 2020, a rise of 36.2%.
- The chicken and avocado salad wrap, which now costs £5.75, up from £4.25 in January 2020, a rise of 35.3%.
- The ham and cheese croissant, which now costs £3.15, up from £2.45 in January 2020, a rise of 28.6%.
Some customers have also reported that the sandwiches have become thinner and the salads have less dressing. One customer tweeted: “Pret A Manger hit with backlash over £7.15 cheese sandwich as one customer brands it ‘daylight robbery’”.
Pret’s justification for the price hikes
Pret A Manger has defended its price changes, saying that they are necessary to cope with the rising costs of ingredients, labour and rent. The company said that it has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced it to close hundreds of shops and lay off thousands of staff. It also said that it has invested in new products, such as vegan and vegetarian options, and expanded its delivery and subscription services.
A spokesperson for Pret A Manger said: “We review our prices regularly and always try to keep them as low as possible for our customers while ensuring we can run a sustainable business. Like many businesses in the hospitality sector, we are facing significant cost pressures across our supply chain, as well as increased costs associated with Covid-19 safety measures and higher wages for our amazing teams.”
The impact of food inflation on consumers and businesses
Pret A Manger is not the only business that is struggling with food inflation, which has been driven by factors such as Brexit, labour shortages, transport disruptions and extreme weather events. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), food prices rose by 1.3% in August compared to a year ago, the highest annual increase since November 2017.
Food inflation has a direct impact on consumers’ budgets, as they have to spend more on groceries and eating out. It also affects businesses’ profitability, as they have to either absorb the higher costs or pass them on to customers, risking losing sales and loyalty.
Some experts have warned that food inflation could worsen in the coming months, especially as the UK faces a potential energy crisis and a shortage of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is used for food packaging and preservation. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has urged the government to take action to address these issues and support the food industry.
Helen Dickinson, the chief executive of the BRC, said: “The government must act with urgency to address CO2 supplies, ensure energy markets work for consumers, and fix the broken immigration system which is causing chronic staff shortages across UK supply chains.”
