Prices in UK shops rose by the fastest rate in more than a decade last month.
The jump was driven by the soaring cost of food, furniture and health and beauty products.
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The latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) show that retail price annual inflation was 1.8% in February, the highest rate recorded since November 2011.
Price hikes are expected to continue until at least the spring, the BRC said.
It comes as Brits are facing a huge increase in the cost of living, with energy bills set to rocket by as much as £693 a year for millions of households from April.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: “Price rises will be unwelcome news for households who already face falling disposable income because of the rise in national insurance and energy price caps.
“Retailers continue to face cost pressures from higher shipping rages, with crude oil prices having almost doubled over the last year.
“Other pressures include labour shortages, commodity price increases and rising energy prices.“
She…
