Slowing food inflation might not last
- Shop Prices fell by 0.8% in March compared to a 0.6% decrease in February. This is below the 12- and 6-month average price decreases of 0.3% and 0.5%, respectively.
- Non-Food prices fell at a steady pace of 1.9% in March. This is below the 12-and 6-month average price declines of 1.3% and 1.7%, respectively. This remains the highest rate of decline in Non-Food prices since May 2018.
- Food inflation eased to 1.1% in March, down from 1.6% in February. This is below the 12- and 6-month average price increases of 1.6% and 1.4%, respectively.
- Fresh Food inflation eased for the third consecutive month. In March, Fresh Food prices rose by 0.4% compared to a 0.6% rise in February. This is below the 12- and 6-month average price increases of 0.9% and 0.6%, respectively. This is the lowest inflation rate for the category since March 2018.
- Ambient Food inflation slowed sharply to 2.0% in March down from 3.0% in February. This is below the 12- and 6-month average price increases of 2.4% and 2.6%, respectively.
Helen Dickinson OBE, chief executive, British Retail Consortium:
“As of the first week of March, when our price collection took place shop prices were pushed further into deflationary territory, with food inflation easing and non-food prices continuing to fall. Fresh food prices rose by a modest 0.4%, as lower global prices in 2019 filtered through, limiting the price rises of meat, dairy and fish products. Non-food prices fell again in March as household spending remained low.
“There are a number of price pressures arising from the coronavirus crisis. Food prices, particularly of fresh produce, may be impacted by higher costs on seasonal farm labour, while non-food prices will be pushed down by lower demand. It is likely that the combination of future economic uncertainty and job losses, whether realised or potential, will drive people to reconsider their spending patterns and to save more. As a result, it is vital the Government monitors the situation carefully and is ready to continue taking bold action where necessary to support jobs and businesses.”
Mike Watkins, head of retailer and business insight, Nielsen:
“The weak demand for many goods and services means non-food retailers continued to battle hard for consumer spending by keeping prices down wherever possible. And across supermarkets, the recent upwards pressure on food prices slowed a little in March, with a slowdown in the rate of inflation in both ambient and fresh foods.”
