Grocery price inflation in UK continues to rise

In the four weeks leading up to 30 October 2022, grocery price inflation rose to 14.7%,  according to the latest figures from Kantar, the highest since Kantar began tracking prices in this way in 2008.

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, said: “Yet again, we have a new record high figure for grocery price inflation and it’s too early right now to call the top. Consumers face a £682 jump in their annual grocery bill if they continue to buy the same items and just over a quarter of all households [27%] now say they’re struggling financially, which is double the proportion we recorded last November. Nine in ten of this group say higher food and drink prices are a major concern, second only to energy bills, so it’s clear just how much grocery inflation is hitting people’s wallets and adding to their domestic worries.”

Own label sales have jumped again by 10.3% over the latest four weeks, as shoppers adopt different strategies to manage their budgets. The branded goods market grew far slower at 0.4%.

“Food and drink spending is generally non-discretionary so it’s not easy for shoppers to cut back the amount they buy,” said McKevitt. “Many are looking to reduce costs in other ways and the big shift to own label is still accelerating. While some of the rise will be down to price inflation, we can clearly see the trend in sales of the very cheapest value own label ranges, which are up by a whopping 42%. These items currently represent just under 3% of the market, although retailers have been adding new products in recent months, so it will be interesting to see if this continues.”