UK Shop Price Inflation Eases in February

2026-03-03 00:55 By Jam Kaimo Samonte 1 min. read

UK shop price inflation rose 1.1% year-on-year in February 2026, down from 1.5% in January, as intense competition among retailers kept price gains in check and shoppers benefited from promotions across health, beauty and fashion categories.

Non-food product prices fell 0.1% year-on-year, reversing January’s 0.3% increase.

Overall food inflation eased slightly to 3.5% from 3.9% in January, with fresh food prices up 4.3% versus last February, marginally below January’s 4.4% but still above the three-month average of 4.2%.

Meanwhile, lower global costs drove ambient food inflation down to 2.3%, its lowest level in four years and a sharp decline from January’s 3.1%.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, noted: “Households got some welcome relief in February as shop price inflation eased.

While the direction of travel is promising, prices are still rising, and many consumers remain under pressure.”



News Stream
UK Shop Price Inflation Eases in February
UK shop price inflation rose 1.1% year-on-year in February 2026, down from 1.5% in January, as intense competition among retailers kept price gains in check and shoppers benefited from promotions across health, beauty and fashion categories. Non-food product prices fell 0.1% year-on-year, reversing January’s 0.3% increase. Overall food inflation eased slightly to 3.5% from 3.9% in January, with fresh food prices up 4.3% versus last February, marginally below January’s 4.4% but still above the three-month average of 4.2%. Meanwhile, lower global costs drove ambient food inflation down to 2.3%, its lowest level in four years and a sharp decline from January’s 3.1%. Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, noted: “Households got some welcome relief in February as shop price inflation eased. While the direction of travel is promising, prices are still rising, and many consumers remain under pressure.”
2026-03-03
UK Shop Price Inflation Hits Near 2-Year High
UK shop price inflation rose 1.5% year-on-year in January 2026, the highest level since February 2024 and well above expectations of a 0.7% increase, as higher business energy costs and the National Insurance hike continued to feed through to prices. Non-food prices rose 0.3% year-on-year in January, reversing a 0.6% decline in December and compared with a three-month average fall of 0.3%. Food inflation accelerated to 3.9% in January from 3.3% in December, exceeding the three-month average of 3.4%. Fresh food inflation picked up to 4.4% from 3.8%, while ambient food inflation rose to 3.1% from 2.5%, both above recent averages. BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson said shop price inflation jumped due to elevated energy costs and tax increases, with meat, fish and fruit particularly affected amid weak supply and stronger demand.
2026-01-27
UK Shop Price Inflation Inches Higher in December
UK shop price inflation rose to 0.7% year-on-year in December 2025 from 0.6% in November, marking its first acceleration in three months, driven by higher food costs during the holiday period. Food price inflation increased to 3.3% year-on-year from 3% previously, with fresh food prices quickening to 3.8% from 3.6%. Ambient food prices also edged higher, rising to 2.5% from 2.4%. By contrast, non-food prices continued to decline, with inflation at minus 0.6% year-on-year in December, unchanged from November. BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson said shop price inflation edged higher in December as food prices rose at a faster pace. However, she noted that shoppers still found good value across many Christmas essentials, including vegetables, cheeses, and alcohol, helping households enjoy the festive season. Dickinson added that falling energy prices and improved crop supply should help ease cost pressures in the year ahead.
2026-01-06