UK Shop Price Inflation Eases to 4-Month Low

UK shop price inflation rose 1.0% year-on-year in April 2026, down from 1.2% in March and below market expectations of 1.5%. It marked the softest pace since last December and was below the three-month average of 1.1%, partly due to discounting in some goods during the Easter period. Food inflation slowed to 3.3% from 3.4% in March, as retailers offered discounts on Easter items such as chocolate. Meanwhile, non-food prices edged down 0.1% year-on-year, after inching up 0.1% in March. “Bigger discounts in clothing, furniture, and DIY goods helped pull down shop price inflation in April. With weakening consumer confidence, retailers competed harder on price to stimulate spring spending. While we’re yet to see the full force of the Middle East conflict feeding into consumer prices, it will not be long before it begins to,” said BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson.

UK shop price inflation rose 1.2% year-on-year in March 2026, up from 1.1% in February but slightly below market expectations of 1.3%, as the impact of the Middle East conflict began to ripple through prices. Food inflation eased to 3.4% from 3.5% in February, matching the three-month average, while non-food inflation remained steady at 0.1% in March after a 0.1% decline in February. Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: "Higher costs resulting from the conflict in the Middle East are starting to feed into supply chains. While retailers will work with their suppliers to mitigate the impact on prices as far as possible, inflation will rise, although there are no indications it will reach the peaks of the last spike in April 2023.”

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.”