UK retailers report Mars Bar shortage, amid record levels of food sector price inflation

UK Shoppers have experienced a shortage in core Mars Bar lines in a number of major stores and online retailing operations, according to national media reports this week, writes Neill Barston.

The manufacturer told The Guardian that it had ‘been experiencing high levels of demand’ for product ranges, mirrored by a number of reports of shortages on shelves amid one retailer reporting ‘that it looked as if a production issue on Mars’s end may be causing gaps’ in stores.

However, the company moved to offer reassurance that its key brands were still available nationwide, as the wider food market continues to grapple with significant inflationary pressures worsened by the ongoing war in Ukraine.

As previously reported, manufacturers including Nestle have increased their retail prices in recent months (including a 6.5% rise for Nestle) in response to the cost of living crisis that is continuing to unfold and is revealing itself in logistics issues right across the food and drink sector.

Analysts have continued to warn on the situation, as inflation rose to effectively the highest level for 40 years in the UK – impacting significantly on prices right across the industry – including within confectionery, snacks and bakery ranges.

With inflation rising by a concerning 10.1% last month, which outpaced market experts forecasts, retailers and manufacturers remain under pressure, which was  reflected by Office for National Statistics figures that showed last month’s poor performance was the highest level of inflation for July since comparable measures began in 1988.

Correspondingly, food price inflation reportedly stood at 12.7%, which is believed to be at the highest level for two decades, with the confectionery sector being far from immune.