Period Covered: 01 – 07
May 2024
- Shop Price annual inflation eased to 0.6% in May, down from
0.8% in April. This is below the 3-month average rate of 0.9%.
Shop price annual growth is its lowest since November 2021.
- Non-Food remained in deflation at -0.8% in May, down from
-0.6% in the preceding month. This is below the 3-month average
rate of -0.4%. Inflation is its lowest since October 2021.
- Food inflation decelerated to 3.2% in May, down from
3.4% in April. This is below the 3-month average rate of 3.5% and
is the thirteenth consecutive deceleration in the food category.
Inflation is its lowest since February 2022.
- Fresh Food inflation slowed further in May, to 2.0%, down
from 2.4% in April. This is below the 3-month average rate of
2.3%. Inflation is its lowest since November 2021.
- Ambient Food inflation decelerated to 4.8% in May, down
marginally from 4.9% in April. This is below the 3-month average
rate of 5.0% and is the lowest since June 2022.
|
|
OVERALL SPI
|
FOOD
|
NON-FOOD
|
|
% Change
|
On last year
|
On last month
|
On last year
|
On last month
|
On last year
|
On last month
|
|
May-24
|
0.6
|
0.2
|
3.2
|
0.2
|
-0.8
|
0.2
|
|
Apr-24
|
0.8
|
-0.3
|
3.4
|
0.5
|
-0.6
|
-0.8
|
Note: Month-on-month % change refers to changes in the
level of prices.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail
Consortium, said:
“Shop price inflation has returned to normal levels, at just
0.6%. This was helped by slowing food inflation, with fresh food
inflation falling to its lowest level since November 2021.
Meanwhile, ambient food inflation remained stickier, especially
for sugary products which continued to feel the effects of high
global sugar prices. In non-food, retailers cut furniture prices
in an attempt to revive subdued consumer demand for big-ticket
items, and football fans have been able to grab some bargains on
TVs and other audio-visual equipment ahead of this summer's
Euros.”
“Retailers are playing a key part in bringing inflation down, but
future government policy must support this too. Retail plays a
key role in every part of the country, from the smallest village
to the largest city, employing millions of people, and serving
millions more. As the cost burden of new policies rises - from
business rates to packaging taxes – this affects not just the
businesses, but their customers too. With an election in a matter
of weeks, it is vital that parties detail their support for
customers and retailers in their upcoming manifestos.”
Mike Watkins, Head of Retailer and Business Insight,
NielsenIQ, said:
“After a number of months of falling
input prices, we are now seeing food inflation stabilise and
retailers continue to pass on price cuts to shoppers. Across the
industry whilst inflationary pressure has eased and there is some
improvement in shopper sentiment, the unseasonable weather has
dampened retail sales so lower prices look set to continue and
promotional activity is likely to increase drive demand.”
