UK grocery inflation hits 15-m high

UK take-home grocery sales grew by 4.4 per cent in the four weeks to 18 May compared with a year earlier, according to market researcher Kantar, as grocery price inflation accelerated to 4.1 per cent—its highest level since February 2024.

Shoppers are increasingly changing their behaviour as inflation crosses the 3 to 4 per cent threshold.

Sales of premium own-label lines continue to lead market growth, while spending on promotions rose 5.1 per cent year-on-year, with 80 per cent of promotional sales driven by simple price cuts.

An early May heatwave helped lift sales of seasonal items. Chilled burger sales surged 27 per cent, potato salad rose 32 per cent, and both coleslaw and prepared salads climbed 19 per cent.

Suncream sales jumped 36 per cent as consumers made the most of the sunshine.

Health and wellness trends also shaped grocery baskets, with sports nutrition products seeing a 45 per cent increase in purchases over the past five months compared with the same period in 2024.

Cottage cheese, flatbreads and fresh prepared fruit recorded volume growth of 30, 29 and 22 per cent respectively.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
Subediting: M. S. Salama