A Christmas hamper may look like luxury at a bargain price – but a Mail on Sunday study shows buyers pay through the nose for a box and a bit of straw.
The basket of goodies can cost up to twice as much as the items inside if bought separately.
‘Hamper inflation is one of the more outrageous examples of profiteering over the festive period. And as this investigation shows, some retailers are utterly brazen about it,’ said consumer rights expert Martyn James.
‘The best advice I can give is to assume that all hampers are a rip- off, buy your own basket, which are really cheap online, and make your own hamper. Teach the shops a lesson by buying from lots of different retailers and send them a message on their social media so they know they’ve lost out.’
Waitrose’s ‘No.1 Classic Christmas Hamper’ was selling at £150 – but the goods inside come to £80.92 when bought separately, which means the basket represents an 85 per cent mark-up.
The hamper has been reduced to £135 since first listed online – but that still works out at £54.08 more than the items cost on their own.
Goodies inside include All Butter Aged Gouda Crispies costing £2.21, Salted Caramel Truffles at £7.50, Triple Citrus Marmalade at £3, 12- Month Matured Pudding at £7.50, Cava Brut at £9.50 and Côtes du Rhône Villages 2024 wine at £13.50.
A spokesman for John Lewis, who own Waitrose, said: ‘Our hamper takes the hassle out of Christmas gifting by offering a ready-made, expertly-curated selection of some of our best-loved products from our premium Waitrose No 1 range.’
Waitrose’s ‘No.1 Classic Christmas Hamper’ was selling at £150 – but the goods inside come to £80.92 when bought separately, which means the basket represents an 85 per cent mark-up
Marks & Spencer sell their ‘Sweet and Sparkling Treats Gift Hamper’ for £35 – but the items inside tot up to a total of £17.75
Marks & Spencer sell their ‘Sweet and Sparkling Treats Gift Hamper’ for £35 – but the items inside tot up to a total of £17.75.
The delicacies include Winterberry Spritz costing £5, Hot Maple Popcorn at £2, Cinnamon Bun Bites at £3 and Giant Bubbly Santa, £1.75.
M&S said: ‘Each hamper is thoughtfully curated with festive favourites designed to work perfectly together, saving customers the time and effort of sourcing, packing and presenting items.’
Tesco’s ‘Finest Christmas Hamper with Prosecco’ also costs £35.
But when bought separately, the contents come to £26.60, creating a mark-up of 32 per cent.
Its luxuries include Finest Prosecco Valdobbiadene at £10, Finest Clementine Shortbread Fingers at £2.50, Parmesan & Garlic Twists at £2.10, a Fruit Cake Slice 5 pack at £5 and Salted Caramel Truffles, also £5.
A Tesco spokesman said: ‘Our hampers are designed to offer customers a beautifully presented, ready-made gift that combines convenience with quality.
‘The hamper itself is a premium wicker basket that can be kept and reused, adding lasting value beyond the festive season.’
Thorntons is charging £115 for an ‘Ultimate Christmas Hamper’ despite the contents costing £93 individually – a 24 per cent mark-up.
Treats include a bottle of Bottega Gold Prosecco costing £20, plus a Continental Desserts Assortment at £11, a Milk Chocolate Cheeky Elf at £3.50, a Continental Viennese Truffle Bag at £4.50 and a Continental Alpini Bag at the same price.
Thorntons said: ‘Our Christmas hampers are uniquely created and priced to reflect the full gifting experience, including the premium wicker hamper itself.’
Hotel Chocolat’s £265 ‘Chocolate Adventurer’s Hamper’ contains £226.65 of products when they are bought individually.
It includes Salted Caramel Chocolate Puddles costing £8, Dark Chocolate Brazil Nuts at £7.95, Orange Macarons at £9.95 and an Exuberantly Fruity Sleekster at £29.95.
A spokesman said: ‘The hamper comes with our keepsake wicker basket. When all elements are taken into account, the hamper offers a value for money gift experience.’