Cost of supermarket budget brands rose 20.3% in December, survey finds

Huge rise in cost of own-label ranges outstripped 12.6% increase in supermarkets' luxury brands

Consumers reliant on supermarkets' budget ranges bore the brunt of food price inflation in the run-up to Christmas, with increases far outstripping those for luxury own-label and premium brands, according to a survey.

The price of budget items rose 20.3% on average in December, compared with the same month a year before, according to research from the consumer group Which?, while supermarkets' luxury ranges rose 12.6% and the price of branded items went up 12.5%.