Butter ½lb

1911 price: 7d

2001 price: 69p

Relatively speaking, butter is much cheaper today than it was in 1911, although there is a wide variation between the standard item and premium products such as regional butters, unsalted Normandy or organic butters. One reason for this is that, in 1911, butter was prepared at the counter by salesmen using beater and slice and its price reflected this labour-intensive process. Another reason is that much of the market for butter has now been replaced by premium spreads and margarines.

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