Ben & Jerry's, Marmite & Hellman's Mayo pulled from Tesco over Brexit price dispute
It is reported that Unilever has instigated a 10 per cent wholesale price hike in its goods which include Marmite, Persil,Hellman’s Mayonnaise and Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream.
Tesco is reported to have refused and the resulting chaos has hit supplies of Unilever products in Tesco outlets.
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Hide AdTesco has already withdrawn Unilever products from sale online, and stocks are reported to be running low in stores across the UK.
Unilever have yet to comment specifically on the dispute with Tesco but, speaking to Reuters earlier today Unilever chief financial officer Graeme Pitkethly played down the price rise as a normal part of doing business.
“This is just devaluation-led cost increase, this is just quite normal,” he commented.
Brexit blamed
The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron, has blamed the Government, saying:“The chaos around Brexit is now hitting our supermarket shelves. This shows the Government don’t have a plan or even a clue.”
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Hide AdAhead of the referendum, the former chief executives of Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Marks & Spencer and B&Q all warned a drop in the pound, coupled with supply chain disruption, would cause prices to rise.
Shares fall
Shares in both Tesco and Unilever took a hit today, with early trading showing both companies are down about two per cent overnight.
Other supermarket share prices have also taken a hit, with Sainsbury’s and Morrisons both down as well.
The price drops reflect investor nerves over Brexit and the falling value of the pound.
So which brands are affected?
Persil
Surf
Comfort
Dermalogica skincare
Dove
Colman’s mustard
Hellmann’s mayonnaise
Ben and Jerry’s ice-cream
Magnum
Marmite
Knorr
Bertolli spread
Flora
Elmlea
Pot Noodle