Responding to the latest CPI inflation figures which shows
headline inflation at 10.1% and food inflation at 19.1% Helen
Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium,
said: “While households will be pleased to see that inflation may
have passed its peak, prices are still high.
Food prices, especially for fruit, vegetables and sugar, rose as
poor harvests in Europe and North Africa reduced availability,
and the weak pound made importing more expensive. Meanwhile,
discounting helped inflation to ease in other areas such as
furniture, and clothing & footwear.
“With food price inflation likely to slow in the coming months as
we enter the UK growing season, we expect wider inflation will
continue to ease. Nonetheless, prices for consumers will remain
high, especially as household bill support is lifted. Retailers
remain committed to helping their customers and keeping prices as
low as possible, by expanding value ranges and offering discounts
for vulnerable groups. We need Government to play its part by
minimising the oncoming regulatory burdens, as these will hinder
investment and will ultimately contribute to ongoing higher
prices for households.”
-ENDS-
Notes:
-
ONS Consumer Price Index figures, March 2023.
|
Year on Year changes
|
Feb-23
|
Mar-23
|
|
CPI (overall index)
|
10.4%
|
10.1%
|
|
01 Food and non-alcoholic beverages
|
18.0%
|
19.1%
|
|
02 Alcoholic beverages and tobacco
|
5.7%
|
5.3%
|
|
03 Clothing and footwear
|
8.1%
|
7.2%
|
|
04 Housing, water, electricity, gas and
other fuels
|
26.6%
|
26.1%
|
|
05 Furniture, household equipment and
maintenance
|
8.7%
|
8.0%
|
|
06 Health
|
6.8%
|
7.1%
|
|
07 Transport
|
2.9%
|
0.8%
|
|
08 Communication
|
3.7%
|
3.7%
|
|
09 Recreation and culture
|
4.0%
|
4.6%
|
|
10 Education
|
3.2%
|
3.2%
|
|
11 Restaurants and hotels
|
12.1%
|
11.3%
|
|
12 Miscellaneous goods and services
|
6.6%
|
6.7%
|
