Retailers have hit back at Frozen Brothers’s decision to increase the price of Tango Ice Blast supplies by 7%, claiming ongoing poor service makes the rise “unjustifiable.”

In a message sent to retailers, and seen by Better Retailing, one major wholesaler told retailers that the price of Tango Ice Blast Frozen syrups and cups will rise by 7% from 15 October. The change will see pricing of one case of 10L syrups increase from £95.54 to £102.23. A case of 1,000 cups will see their cost increase from £66.24 to £70.88.

Frozen Brothers also supplies machines and ingredients branded under Robinsons Fruit Ice, Coca Cola Frozen and Slushy Jacks. The 7% price increase will apply to these brands.

The price increase has been slammed by independent retailers, who have reported ongoing issues with Frozen Brothers. Ken Singh, of BB Nevison Superstore in Pontefract, told Better Retailing his latest monthly bill for the leasing of his machine had increased from £158 to £193 with no prior notice from the firm.

He added: “At least milk suppliers notify you of a price increase beforehand. This is just very cheeky. I know we’ve become accustomed to ongoing price increases, but this is unjustifiable in the case of Frozen Brothers.

“The service is so bad. I’m already paying for a service where my machine constantly breaks down. There’s been no mechanism to escalate my complaints about ongoing issues. Where is the money going to go from this price increase? Will they use it to improve their workforce.”

Another Frozen Brothers customer, who asked not to be named, added: “Faults are common with our machine and they’re not reliable pieces of kit. Considering all the frustrations we have, the increase isn’t justified.”

Frozen Brothers has been approached for comment

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