Contemporary meals costs soared by 15 per cent final month in contrast with a yr earlier to hit their highest stage for the reason that British Retail Consortium started reporting the information in 2005.
The figures come amid warnings from retailers that inflation exhibits ‘no speedy signal of waning’ and comply with Workplace for Nationwide Statistics research exhibiting households are lowering meals spending and struggling to afford a nutritious diet.
Analysis from the ONS on meals costs within the yr to November additionally discovered big will increase throughout meat, fish, dairy, contemporary fruit and greens.
The BRC stated meals worth inflation throughout all merchandise, together with packet gadgets and cans, went up from 12.4 per cent in November to 13.3 per cent in December.
Workplace for Nationwide Statistics research present households are lowering meals spending and struggling to afford a nutritious diet
Its analysis, carried out in partnership with retail analysts NielsenIQ, confirmed complete store worth inflation was 7.3 per cent in December, which was down marginally on 7.4 per cent in November.
Helen Dickinson, the BRC’s chief government, stated: ‘It was a difficult Christmas for a lot of households throughout the UK. Not solely did the chilly snap power individuals to spend extra on their power payments, however the costs of many important meals additionally rose as reverberations from the struggle in Ukraine continued to maintain excessive the price of animal feed, fertiliser and power.’
She warned: ‘2023 might be one other troublesome yr for shoppers and companies as inflation exhibits no speedy indicators of waning.’
Authorities safety for companies in opposition to power invoice hikes is because of finish from April 1, which is able to put new stress on retailers and shelf costs.
The Which? Head of Meals Coverage, Sue Davies, stated: ‘It’s completely important that households get the help they want from the Authorities and companies throughout the price of residing disaster.
‘Supermarkets should guarantee price range strains for wholesome and reasonably priced important gadgets are extensively obtainable throughout their shops. Promotions needs to be focused at these most in want and other people supported to allow them to simply examine the worth of merchandise to get one of the best worth.’
