Meaning of Marmitegate | Babel Free

Definitions

A controversy in 2016 which Marmite and related products had their prices increased by the manufacturer, blamed on a fall in the pound after Brexit, and leading to the temporary withdrawal of those products from Tesco supermarkets.

UK, informal

Examples

“The day “Marmitegate” dominated the front pages of British newspapers, the company reported a 3.2 percent rise in quarterly sales - with a 0.4 percent drop in the number of goods sold comfortably offset by a 3.6 percent increase in prices.”

“In his first comments since last month’s “Marmitegate” stand-off, Dave Lewis said consumers should not be asked to pay “inflated prices” due to fluctuations in currencies, such as the post-referendum slump in the pound.”

“The chief executive of Unilever, the consumer goods giant at the centre of Marmitegate, said Britain should “get used to” price rises triggered by a slump in the pound after the Brexit vote.”

“Sainsbury’s and Asda are preparing a joint assault on the grocery industry’s biggest suppliers if their blockbuster merger is approved, in a move that will revive memories of the Marmitegate price row between Tesco and Unilever.”

CEFR level