‘Outrage’ as price of chocolate stuns supermarket shoppers

 "I cannot deal with this - what is HAPPENING?"

Image: TikTok @phoebe_fitish

Nothing signals the end of a long day like a piece of chocolate and a cup of tea. Sadly, I might need to consider my sweet daily ritual as the cost of living has officially hit the chocolate aisle.

I know that chocolate is not an essential item and I could live without a daily hit, but life’s pleasures are limited enough as a perimenopausal mum of two boys in my forties, so please don’t come for my little choccy treat!

In recent months I have been scanning the sweet tooth aisles and only buying whatever is on special, instead of my usual bougie brand because the prices are ridiculous. Apparently I am not the only person to notice this horrifying upward trend.

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"I cannot deal with this"

Whereas a Lindt mint chocolate block used to cost me approximately $4.50, one TikTokker named Phoebe, the host of the FIT(ish) podcast, has pointed out the price of Lindt has crept up to $6.85 a block!

“Inflation and the cost of living have officially hit the chocolate aisle and I cannot deal with this,” Phoebe says in her recent TikTok.

“$6.85 for a block of Lindt chocolate - that is outrageous! Especially in comparison to something like a block of Tony’s chocolate which you get far more serves from, it fills you up and satisfies you more and the full price is only $8.95.

“So what in the f**k is happening?” 

While I take her point about the Tony’s chocolate being more satisfying, it is still a little too close to $10 for a supermarket bar of chocolate which seems out of control!

Unlike blueberries, these processed items are not seasonal but the price of cocoa has apparently skyrocketed and these premium European brands are imported.

But it’s not just the top end of the snack market that has been affected by the cost of living crisis.

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"When did these prices become 'specials'?"

Another shopper on TikTok called Cassandra Leigh made a similar observation as she shopped for a snack.

She said in her TikTok that she knows these are not essentials but asks, “When did these prices become specials” as she shows the regular big chocolate bars priced three for $15, kettle chips on special for $4.20 and Allens lollies two bags for $8. 

“The fact these cost more than a meal almost to get a little snacky, snack is crazy,” Cassandra says as she pans her camera across this standard Aussie snacks that are fast becoming unaffordable for most.

In the comments many people are either stopping altogether or turning to ALDI to get their sweet treats.

One woman replied: “Everything is sooooo expensive. I’ve started just forgoing or shopping at ALDI.”

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"I'm already struggling to pay for berries"

Another added: “I’m so glad I don’t eat chocolate! I’m already struggling paying for berries.”

With a third remarking that ALDI is the place to be right now: “PSA for those who do eat chocolate: ALDI's Choceur chocolate is just as good if not better, and under $4.”

While I consider if I need a new healthy nighttime habit in the long term, I might just get myself down to ALDI. The time has come and my sweet tooth is calling.

Originally published as ‘Outrage’ as price of chocolate stuns supermarket shoppers