Houmous is IN, hotels are OUT! Shocking new basket reveals how YOUR spending has changed

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has updated its annual “basket of goods,” giving a fascinating glimpse into how families in Swansea Bay and across the UK are spending their cash.

This year’s changes highlight a shift towards healthier lifestyles, new technology, and a growing obsession with pets.

But it comes as the cost of living crisis continues to bite, with fears that inflation could surge again, hitting local households hard.

Maike Currie, VP Personal Finance at PensionBee, said the basket offers a “real-world glimpse” into changing habits.

“Houmous and alcohol-free beer have edged their way in, alongside pet grooming and dashboard cameras,” Ms Currie revealed.

She added that these changes reflect “healthier lifestyles, changing technology and the growing role pets play in household spending.”

Many of these shifts, she noted, were “kickstarted during the Covid pandemic but now look firmly entrenched in how households live and spend today.”

So, what else is in and what’s out for families in our area?

WHAT’S IN:

• Houmous: As vegetable spending rises and supermarkets expand their ranges, the chickpea dip is now a firm favourite.
• Alcohol-free beer: Reflecting the massive growth in low and no-alcohol drinks, a trend seen in pubs and shops across Swansea. Local brewers like Swansea-based Drop Bear Beer have been at the forefront of this boom.
• Dashboard cameras: Capturing the demand for new in-car technology and security products, as drivers look to protect themselves on our roads.
• Pet grooming: Highlighting the soaring spending on pet care services, with local dog groomers busier than ever.
• Motor homes: Recognising a significant boom in the leisure travel market, as more people opt for staycations.
• Croissants and breakfast pastries: Reflecting everyday bakery purchases, a familiar sight in local cafes. This includes popular local spots like Saint Hugo Bakery, known for their viennoiserie.
• Ready-made sandwiches: Capturing the growing variety of places people buy lunch, from city centre delis to supermarket meal deals.

WHAT’S OUT (OR CHANGING):

Hotel prices collected one day in advance: Removed to reduce volatility in the index, a move that could impact how we view local tourism.

Sheets of wrapping paper: Replaced with rolls, which better reflect what’s available in our high street stores.

Separate “European” and “New World” white wines: Replaced with a single white wine category, simplifying choices for shoppers.

Generic spray oil including olive oil: Replaced with non-olive spray oil to improve measurement of different oil types.

Ms Currie warned that the return to stable inflation could be “bumpier than expected,” potentially impacting local families and businesses.

This comes as concerns mount over rising energy prices and global uncertainty, which could temper hopes for interest rate cuts.

The changes in the ONS basket offer a stark reminder of how quickly our lives and spending habits can evolve, impacting everything from local food prices to leisure activities.

#costOfLiving #DropBearBeer #Economy #Food #Inflation #lifestyle #money #ONS #SaintHugoBakery #SpendingHabits #Swansea

Bake Off star blames Council as award-winning bakery quits Llanelli after just one year

Saint Hugo Bakery, owned by Benjamin Condé who reached the quarter-finals of the prestigious baking competition in both 2022 and 2024, announced on social media that its Llanelli Market unit will shut its doors for the final time on Saturday 14 March.

The closure has sparked an outpouring of anger and disappointment from customers, many of whom have accused the council of driving yet another quality independent business out of the town.

In a Facebook post, the bakery said it would be “moving our energy to our other stores, our new Mumbles opening, and our production unit” following the closure.

The announcement comes against the backdrop of the council’s controversial plans to demolish Llanelli Market and relocate traders to a former Woolworths building on Vaughan Street, a move that has been met with widespread concern from stallholders.

The irony of the situation has not been lost on observers. When Saint Hugo opened in Llanelli Market, Cllr Hazel Evans, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said the council was “thrilled to welcome Benjamin Condé and his new venture” and praised his “world-class creations.” The same councillor is now overseeing the market demolition plans that have contributed to the bakery’s departure.

The bakery opened in Llanelli Market around September 2025, just months after the council announced its intention to demolish the decades-old building which it says is approaching the “end of its structural life.”

Benjamin Condé, who honed his craft as a pastry chef in France and previously worked as executive pastry chef at the prestigious Dorchester Collection hotel in Ascot, returned to his Carmarthenshire roots to bring what he described as “a taste of France” to Llanelli.

The unit underwent a full refurbishment with state-of-the-art ovens and refrigerators before opening.

Customers responding to the closure announcement expressed frustration at losing what many described as a rare example of the kind of quality, independent business Llanelli desperately needs.

Alistair Corbett wrote: “Really sad to hear this. A wonderful addition to Llanelli town, and a much needed addition too. Artisan bakeries are usually found in the suburbs of cities like Cardiff, so to have your bakery in Llanelli town centre was a huge asset. Just what Llanelli needs; unique, interesting, independent businesses run by passionate people.”

Several commenters directly linked the closure to the council’s handling of the market situation.

Katy Lewis said: “What a shame but it’s no surprise to hear that Cyngor Sir Gâr – Carmarthenshire County Council have made it difficult for you, I’ve spoke to so many small businesses that wanted to set up in Llanelli and make the town better with their new and exciting ideas which we need but apparently CCC have just put so many obstacles in the way.”

Mia Savage added: “Llanelli needs more than betting shops, charity shops and pawn brokers. It needs a good scrub and polish of a lot of the buildings too. It could be nice but it is like the only thing the council seems to be good at is making more and more Hwbs. Sorry to hear that they are making it hard for yet another business. They want towns to be rejuvenated yet contradict that with silly high rents and taxes, making it almost impossible for small businesses to be profitable.”

Tracy Thomas warned: “There will be nothing left in Llanelli the way Carmarthenshire County Council are going.”

The council announced plans in July 2025 to relocate the market and potentially demolish the current building, which also houses the town’s only multi-storey car park with 527 spaces. The most likely option involves moving traders to the former Woolworths building using money from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, with a target completion date of Spring 2028.

However, the proposed new location would see the market span two floors, raising questions about accessibility and shopper appeal. Critics have warned that the combined impact of losing both the market building and the car park above could push Llanelli’s already struggling town centre into further decline.

When the plans were announced, Cllr Evans said: “We’re faced with tight timescales to secure the money and ensure this option remains on the table. This is the beginning of a journey with our traders — their input is integral to how we design a new home for Llanelli Market.”

Saint Hugo Bakery’s other locations include shops in Swansea city centre and Uplands, with a new Mumbles store due to open soon. The business also operates a production unit.

At the time of opening, Benjamin Condé said: “Great food requires great ingredients, great technique and true love for food! At SAINT-HUGO every detail has been considered, to really bring flavour, passion and care to the forefront of the customer experience. Tasty food, great coffee… always.”

The Llanelli shop will close on Saturday 14 March, with the bakery encouraging customers to “come say goodbye before the doors close.”

A spokesperson for Carmarthenshire County Council said: “Having supported Mr Condé to establish Saint Hugo Bakery at Llanelli Market, Carmarthenshire County Council is saddened to hear that the business has chosen to leave.”

This article was updated on 26 February 2026 to include a response from Carmarthenshire County Council.

#bakery #BenjaminCondé #CarmarthenshireCouncil #CarmarthenshireCountyCouncil #Llanelli #LlanelliMarket #LlanelliMarketDemolition #SaintHugoBakery