LONDON – UK grocery inflation has slowed this month to its lowest level since September 2021, coinciding with the fastest rise in monthly supermarket shopper numbers so far this year, industry data showed on Tuesday.
Market researcher Kantar said annual grocery price inflation was 1.6% in the four weeks to July 7, versus 2.1% in the previous four-week period.
It said prices were falling fastest for products such as toilet tissues, butter and dog food but still rising for items such as vitamins, minerals and supplements, chilled fruit juices and drinks and deodorants.
Kantar’s data, the most up-to-date snapshot of UK consumer behaviour published since the July 4 election, showed take-home grocery sales increased 2.2% in value terms over the four-week period year-on-year.
Official UK data published last month showed overall British inflation returned to its 2% target for the first time in nearly three years in May. Official data for June will be published on Wednesday and is likely to be a key factor in the Bank of England’s deliberations ahead of its Aug. 1 interest rate…
