Festive selection boxes aren’t choc full of value

MOTHERS and fathers could be better off buying their children individual chocolate bars instead of traditional selection boxes this Christmas.

Prices of selection boxes can be up to 13% higher than the cost of buying the contents separately, a consumer watchdog survey has shown.

For example, a mega-size Cadbury selection box costs €8.28 to buy yet the treats inside can be bought separately for €7.60, a saving of 68c — enough for another bar of chocolate.

Similarly Nestlé’s ‘Footie’ treat box costs €4.99, yet the individual six bars inside can be bought for €4.70.

Other packages of Christmas treats like tubes of sweets can also be more expensive compared with the standard product on the shelves.

A seasonal tube of Galaxy chocolate Minstrels, for instance, costs €1.99 for 125g, working out at €15.92 per kilogramme.

Yet a large Minstrels bag weighing 225g costs €2.37, equivalent to €10.54 per kg — making the pack a third cheaper than the fancy tube.

Last night the Consumers’ Association of Ireland (CAI) said confectionery makers were over-indulging in Christmas pricing.

“Selection boxes are a must-have at Christmas and the industry knows it,” said CAI chief executive Dermott Jewell.

“These must be the only product you buy where you pay more for buying in bulk: you don’t get more for less.

“It’s a classic example of the price the market will bear and it’s all down to packaging and presentation.”

But Mr Jewell conceded youngsters would much prefer the excitement value of unwrapping selection boxes to receiving just the contents alone.

Despite the price differences, the CAI did find good-value selection boxes. The best-value selection box on the market was found to be the Naturals sweet collection at €3.69 for 294g, or €12.55 per kg.

Sweet truth: bulk buy is more expensive

* Cadbury large selection box: €5.45.

Contents bought separately: €4.80.

Difference: 65c or 13% more expensive.

* Nestlé Footie selection box: €4.99.

Contents bought separately: €4.70.

Difference: 29c or 6% more expensive.

* Galaxy Minstrels 125g Christmas tube: €1.99 (€15.92 per kg).

Standard 225g bag: €2.37 (€10.54 per kg).

Difference: €5.38 per kg more expensive or 51%.